Orlando Child Custody Attorney:

We represent people in divorce cases involving child custody and time sharing determinations. Every case involving the time sharing schedule for a child is unique, and in many cases, people who fail to seek legal representation later discover that they have made critical mistakes due to a misunderstanding of the law and how it relates to their children and situation. If you are involved in a divorce or paternity case with time sharing issues call us today to speak with an experienced Orlando child custody attorney. At the Wilson Law Firm, we work to protect your interests and to assist you in resolving your situation in an effective and efficient manner.

Time Sharing:

Time sharing involves the scheduled days the child will spend with each parent. In Florida, the Court will determine all matters relating to time sharing for each minor child of the parties in accordance with the best interests of the child as defined in Florida Statute 61.13. The time sharing schedule can vary considerably due to the unique factors involved in every case. For more information about time sharing in a divorce, speak with a Orlando child custody attorney today.

Public Policy:

It is the public policy of Florida to assure that each minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents separate or the marriage of the parties is dissolved and to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities, and joys, of childrearing. For more information, speak with a Orlando child custody attorney today.

Presumptions for the Mother or Father:

There is no presumption for or against the father or mother of the child when addressing time sharing, however, it is not uncommon for the Courts to award more time to the mother for the first few months after a child’s birth to allow for breast feeding. The Court’s primary concern however is the best interest of the child which is determined by evaluating all of the factors affecting the welfare and interests of the minor child. For more information, speak with a Orlando child custody attorney today.

Courts Evaluation Factors:

The Court will evaluate the following factors in determining child custody and time sharing:

1) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required.

2) The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after the litigation, including the extent to which parental responsibilities will be delegated to third parties.

3) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent.

4) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.

5) The geographic viability of the parenting plan, with special attention paid to the needs of school-age children and the amount of time to be spent traveling to effectuate the parenting plan. This factor does not create a presumption for or against relocation of either parent with a child.

6) The moral fitness of the parents.

7) The mental and physical health of the parents.

8) The home, school, and community record of the child.

9) The reasonable preference of the child, if the Court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.

10) The demonstrated knowledge, capacity, and disposition of each parent to be informed of the circumstances of the minor child, including, but not limited to, the child’s friends, teachers, medical care providers, daily activities, and favorite things.

11) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to provide a consistent routine for the child, such as discipline, and daily schedules for homework, meals, and bedtime.

12) The demonstrated capacity of each parent to communicate with and keep the other parent informed of issues and activities regarding the minor child, and the willingness of each parent to adopt a unified front on all major issues when dealing with the child.

13) Evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, regardless of whether a prior or pending action relating to those issues has been brought. If the court accepts evidence of prior or pending actions regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, the court must specifically acknowledge in writing that such evidence was considered when evaluating the best interests of the child.

14) Evidence that either parent has knowingly provided false information to the Court regarding any prior or pending action regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect.

15) The particular parenting tasks customarily performed by each parent and the division of parental responsibilities before the institution of litigation and during the pending litigation, including the extent to which parenting responsibilities were undertaken by third parties.

16) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to participate and be involved in the child’s school and extracurricular activities.

17) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to maintain an environment for the child which is free from substance abuse.

18) The capacity and disposition of each parent to protect the child from the ongoing litigation as demonstrated by not discussing the litigation with the child, not sharing documents or electronic media related to the litigation with the child, and refraining from disparaging comments about the other parent to the child.

19) The developmental stages and needs of the child and the demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to meet the child’s developmental needs.

20) Any other factor that is relevant to the determination of a specific parenting plan, including the time-sharing schedule. For more information, speak with a Orlando child custody attorney today.

Location of the Child:

The Court has jurisdiction to approve, grant, or modify time sharing, notwithstanding that the child is not physically present in this state at the time of filing any proceeding, if it appears to the Court that the child was removed from this state for the primary purpose of removing the child from the jurisdiction of the Court in an attempt to avoid the Court’s approval and creation of a time sharing plan. For more information, speak with a Orlando child custody attorney today.

Florida Child Custody & Time Sharing Statutes:

Speak with an Orlando child custody attorney or review the following Florida Statutes for some more information on parenting plans and time sharing in Florida:

Florida Statute 61.13 – Support of children; parenting and time-sharing; powers of court.
Florida Statute 61.13001 – Parental relocation with a child.
Florida Statute 61.21 – Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance authorized; contempt.

Experienced Orlando Child Custody Attorney:

Attorney Joel Wilson has over 20 years of experience and has handled thousands of cases during his legal career. He understands both the legal and emotional issues involved in divorce and family law cases and is an experienced trial attorney. While most divorce cases do not result in a trial, there are some that will. When a case cannot be resolved except by trial, you will want an experienced trial attorney to present your side of the case in a persuasive and effective manner.

In many cases, people who fail to seek legal representation later discover that they have made critical mistakes, due to a misunderstanding of the law and how it relates to their unique situation, which have devastating consequences in regards to alimony, their children or financial situation. At the Wilson Law Firm, we work to protect your interests and to assist you in resolving your situation in an effective and efficient manner.