Child Custody

As a parent, nothing is more important to you than the welfare of your children. When circumstances beyond your control—like a divorce—threaten the stability of your family, it’s natural to want to do everything in your power to protect your kids. That’s where child custody comes in. There are two types of child custody in… read more

A custodial parent is usually referred to as the parent who has been awarded physical custody of a child by the court, or the parent with whom the child spends the majority of their time. Understanding your rights, whether you’re a custodial parent or a non-custodial parent, can be confusing. Speak with a family law… read more

Things change as your child grows up. Certain life events can result in the need to change a child custody order or parenting plan. In most cases, you and your child’s other parent can agree to modify your custody arrangement without going to court. However, it is always best to let your Orlando child custody… read more

Many children live with extended family members in Florida for various reasons. Sometimes, a child might reside with an extended family member because a parent is unfit or unable to care for the child. In other cases, a child may move in with an extended family member after a parent’s death. Florida laws recognize the… read more

During a divorce, many parents ask about custody. More specifically, many parents ask about “sole custody” or “sole parental responsibility.” While this is a common question, it is important for you to understand what sole custody means in Orlando, how Orlando courts determine custody arrangements, and how often sole custody happens in Orlando. How is… read more

Even if your marriage ends, you will still have an ongoing relationship with your ex-spouse if you have children together. Transitioning from cohabitating with your family to living in separate households can take time and effort. Florida favors both parents remaining involved in their child’s life, and judges prefer to approve parenting plans that reflect… read more

Many factors affect whether your ex-spouse can take your child out of the country. Even if your child custody order falls into a gray area, your ex-spouse can petition a judge for permission to take your child out of the country. Whether a judge grants this petition will also depend on several factors. In Florida,… read more

Temporary custody generally lasts until there is another order by the family court addressing custody matters. The judge awards temporary custody to one parent pending the outcome of a divorce case, a paternity case, or custody battle. The purpose of temporary custody is to make arrangements for the children until the parties settle custody issues… read more

You may be wondering how judges determine child custody decisions in a divorce. According to Florida Statute §61.13, when establishing or modifying parental responsibility, the child’s best interests must be considered. To determine a child’s best interest, the court must evaluate factors that impact the interest and welfare of the child. The statute lists 19… read more

Blended families can take on many different forms. Parents may marry or remarry and create a stepfamily for their children. It is estimated that approximately 1,300 new stepfamilies form each day in the United States. Over one-half of families consist of individuals who are remarried or re-coupled. The U.S. Census estimates that there are over… read more