The judge can consider all relevant circumstances when determining custody. For example, the judge may consider the child's relationship with both parents, the special needs of any child, the history of domestic violence, and the child's preferences. Florida family law attorneys provide answers to frequently asked questions about child custody in Florida. Florida abandoned traditional terms of custody in favor of parental responsibility and timeshare.
Florida custody laws favor both parents to remain active in the lives of their children. Therefore, courts prefer to see parenting plans and timeshare plans that provide equal access for the child with each parent. Child preference may also force a judge to separate the child from siblings, particularly in the case of older children who have more difficulty getting along with one parent than the other. When a judge determines a timeshare child custody schedule in Florida, he or she will set the parents' visitation and custody schedule with the child.
If a child has been living in a house all his life, without moving frequently, for example, that house is likely to be the home for primary custody and access. So, even if your child doesn't live with you full time, you can negotiate what responsibilities are yours when it comes to determining child custody. Florida custody rights (also known as Timeshare Program and Parenting Plans) require the court to consider the best interests of the child (ren) when the court decides a child custody case (timeshare program and parenting plan). If you are filing for divorce, talk to your lawyer about other issues that could affect custody, such as child support, spousal support, and division of property.
The definition of “best interests of the child” is defined in the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. One of the things that impact this rate is its divorce and child custody rates, which are among the highest in the nation. ABA Family Law Section Custody Committee Report Judges, family lawyers and psychologists on the Custody Committee consider and address the all-important issue of child custody during and after divorce. Neither parent starts with an advantage in a custody case and mothers and fathers have equal custody rights for their children.
If a child's safety is questioned, for example, if a sibling is harassing or abusing the child, a judge can order a separate custody agreement for siblings if one parent is better equipped than the other to meet the needs of the abused child. Florida custody laws require a judge to assess the moral fitness of each parent when determining the best interests of the child. Depending on the situation and facts of the case, the court may also grant the mother sole physical custody of the child. Divorce and child custody rank very high on the Holmes and Rahe Life Change Stress Units scale, with divorce ranking second in terms of the most stressful life events.
Given how much is at stake, in contentious cases, judges can order a custody evaluation to be administered by a qualified expert, such as a child forensic psychologist.