A good child custody attorney can help you find a custody arrangement that is best for your family. The most important thing is to be prepared and have a plan. The best way to do this is to hire a firm that will work with you on a schedule that fits yours. If you can’t agree, then you will need to have a court decide. It is never a good idea to try to terminate support payments without consulting with a child custody lawyer first. This will only hurt you in the long run.
It is rare for either parent to get sole parental responsibility and full custody of a child. This is only possible if the other parent has done something illegal or very serious and it will harm the child. If this is the case, the courts will act swiftly to remove the child from the parents and put them in care of relatives or foster families.
Custody laws vary by state and it is very important to hire a Pensacola Florida attorney who is experienced in handling these cases. A lawyer will have knowledge of all aspects of the law in Florida and will be able to provide you with the best representation possible.
Most states no longer use the terms “custody” and “visitation.” Instead they are using the term “parental responsibility,” “time-sharing” and “parenting plan.” This change is because the laws are trying to emphasize that both parents should be involved in the lives of the children unless there is some very clear reason for not being involved.
Time sharing is the amount of time that each parent spends with a child. It could be equal, it could be based on the child’s preference (this usually changes as the child gets older) and it also depends on if the parents are able to agree on a plan. Parental responsibility is the right to make critical decisions for a child such as their medical care, religion and education. It is generally awarded to both parents. However, a judge may award one parent sole decision-making authority if they feel that dual parental responsibility is not in the best interests of the child.
It is also important to know that a Father who hasn’t established paternity can still get visitation rights if the Mother agrees. However, there are many requirements that must be met and a good paternity test is usually required.
Dependency Court is a special type of court that handles cases where the children have been removed from the parents due to neglect, abuse or other safety concerns. The judges in these courts are very strict and will not allow a child to go back to a parent who has been abusive or hasn’t completed the necessary steps to be reunited with the child. The courts will always move quickly in these cases and it is vital to hire a Pensacola Florida lawyer with experience. The lawyers at Lead Counsel are independently verified and have years of experience helping clients with their custody and visitation issues.
