Child “Custody” in Florida
As is the case in general when it comes to family law, courts are always concerned about what is in the best interest of the child when it comes to making custody and parenting/time-sharing arrangements. At the same time, courts, in general, also have to respect the Parental Rights Doctrine, which historically upheld parents’ fundamental right to raise children as they see fit. Although a decision in 2000 opened the door for states to become more involved in what, exactly, that parental right entails, it is the public policy of Florida that each minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents after they separate, and encourage parents to share in their rights and responsibilities. That being said, there are some circumstances under which a child’s biological father can be denied parental rights. It is crucial, therefore, that if you have a child born out of wedlock or are going through a divorce, you understand how Florida is different when it comes to the concepts of child custody. Traditional: Legal Vs Physical Custody Most child custody concepts differentiate between “legal” custody and “physical” custody. Traditionally, legal custody granted the parent the right to make important, binding, long-term decisions, such as those that apply to medical care and education; while primary physical custody described the parent with whom the child spent most of their time with. Florida: Sole vs. Shared Responsibility While Florida prefers that parental responsibility for a minor child be shared by both parents, if the court finds that shared responsibility will be detrimental to the child (i.e. if one parent has been convicted of a first degree misdemeanor or higher involving domestic violence and/or meets various other criteria outlined under law), the court can order “sole parental responsibility” and make whatever time-sharing arrangements it deems to be in the best interest of the child. However, even with shared (joint) responsibility, the child will typically have a primary residence. Alternative Arrangements Florida courts can also provide for alternative arrangements for a child if it is in the child’s best interest. That can involve more time-sharing with grandparents, or even appointing a guardian for a minor. Child Support in Florida Florida has a set of child support guidelines that it follows. The guidelines are roughly based on such factors as the needs of the child, age, station in life, standard of living, and the financial status and ability of each parent. Advice & Legal Representation in Florida Child Custody Issues If you or a loved one is involved in a child custody dispute or working on child custody arrangements, contact HD Law Partners today to get the professional legal help you need. Our experienced team of Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota timesharing and parenting plan attorneys provide strong legal advocacy and ensure that you and your child’s best interests are protected. Resources: leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/biological-father-challenges-florida-law-stripping-him-of-parental-rights Tags: Florida Custody Dispute, Florida Timesharing Arrangements, Parental Rights Doctrine, Shared Parenting, Tampa Family Lawyer, Tampa Family Lawyers, Tampa Timesharing Attorney, Tampa Timesharing Attorneys Posted in Divorce, Family Law, Timesharing | No Comments » Connect with us Archives May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 January 2025 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 November 13 Categories Alimony Appellate Arbitration Auto Accidents Auto Insurance Business Corporate Business Insurance Law Child Custody Child Support Criminal Law Divorce Family Law FEMA Insurance Payments Florida’s Mandatory 2‑Hour Legal Professionalism CLE: Foreclosure Defense Fort Myers Hurricane Insurance Attorney General Guardianship HD Law Partners Service HOA/Property Management Homeowners Association Homeowners Insurance Hurricane Claims Hurricane Insurance Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Claims Insurance Defense Insurance Litigation Landlord Tenant Law Enforcement Liability Loan Modifications Mold Water Damage Parental Rights Paternity Personal Injury Premises Liability Law Prenuptial Agreements Private Security Property Distribution Property Owner Law Sarasota Insurance Litigation Attorney Slip Fall Tampa Business and Corporate Attorneys tampa family attorney Tampa Insurance Attorneys Timeshare Timesharing Uncategorized HD Law Partners is proud to be your trusted full-service law firm Quick Links Property & Casualty Business & Corporate Litigation Family Law Contact Us Careers Get In Touch 2002 North Lois Avenue Suite 510 Tampa, FL 33607 813-253-5333 Contact Us