Child Custody and Parental Responsibility in Florida
Questions of child custody are often the most contentious of a divorce. The court bases its decisions on the best interests of the child. With this priority in mind, Florida family law courts now speak of parental "responsibility" as opposed to "custody," and "parenting plans" as opposed to visitation.
Parents Have Responsibilities · Children Have Rights
The underlying ideas behind these phrases are clear: parents have a responsibility to care for their children, whether they are married to each other or not. In recent years, there has been a change in the way the State determines child custody and visitation or contact. Our firm stays abreast of all developments in state law so that we can be prepared to help our clients pursue their goals in any legal landscape.
Children have a right to develop strong bonds with both parents. Our specialization and experience in family law at Revis and Blackburn aid us in understanding how to advocate for parental rights while keeping children's interests at the forefront at the same time.
Child Custody and Contact Schedules
At Revis and Blackburn, we are conscious of the fact that questions concerning where a child will live and how he or she will have access to separated parents can be overwhelming for families, both emotionally and financially. Attorney Elizabeth Blackburn is certified as a specialist in marital and family law by the Florida Supreme court. She provides clients with aggressive advocacy and confidential counsel in any family law dispute.
With few exceptions, the preference in Florida is to grant both parents shared parental responsibilities. The State believes it is in a child's best interests to have both parents actively involved in a child's upbringing. The court encourages parents to reach amicable child custody agreements and contact schedules but recognizes that parents don't always agree. In those cases, the court will weigh the many statutory factors to determine what is in the best interest of the child. It will also consider, in limited circumstances, whether granting custody to a grandparent or relative is appropriate.
Experience Guiding Families Through Custody Issues
Contact a lawyer at Revis and Blackburn to schedule a consultation regarding parental responsibility and the type of parenting plan that will work best in your family's situation. Come to our office in Daytona Beach, Florida and discuss where you want your children to live so that we can help you to achieve your goals.