Divorce And Child Custody: Do Men Get A Fair Shake These Days?
Many parents these days find it difficult to find that right life-balance when it comes to juggling career, child support, and shared custody after divorce. Recently, CNN ran an interesting piece focusing on some perspectives of fathers, in particular, who feel that the system has let them down. Some of these fathers have spent time in jail because they were unable to pay court-ordered child support; gone bankrupt; or even been altogether barred from seeing their children due to civil protection orders. And not all of them ended up in custody battles due to divorce: some learned all too late that they had fathered children but were excluded from the child’s birth certificate. According to the statistics, even today, more than 80 percent of custodial parents are mothers. Does this mean that men automatically do not get a fair shake when it comes to custody cases? Laws in states like Florida and elsewhere were supposed to prevent this phenomenon by focusing on what is in the best interests of the child. Still, that doesn’t mean that men do not sometimes get the short end of the stick due to judges’ traditional perspectives. Below, we offer some insight on how fathers can avoid acrimonious outcomes in circumstances like these. Paying Child Support Even if you cannot pay the total amount of child custody you have been ordered to do so, make sure that you pay something. If you fail to do so, you most definitely risk jail time. Remember that you can only reduce your child support payments by getting yourself in front of a judge, so work with a good attorney, and be patiently persistent. When it comes to communicating with the judge, your attorney will know how to do it and save you potentially suffering from the bias that can sometimes accompany the judge having to deal with someone who doesn’t know the law (i.e. you). Paying child support is an important part of the legal system, and judges expect parents to do whatever they can to financially support their children; however, they do understand that people lose their jobs and times can be tough, and they will sometimes consider modifying child support agreements, given some circumstances. “Unofficial” Dads While it may seem like women have the upper hand when it comes to custody if two people have a child out of wedlock, keep in mind that men can “catch up.” A father should file what’s known as legitimation papers in order for the court to establish that naming him as the father officially is in the best interests of the child. Contact Our Florida Divorce & Child Custody Attorneys If you live in Florida and are seeking legal advice on any divorce issue, contact our experienced Tampa family law attorneys at HD Law Partners today to find out how we can help. We have offices in Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, and Bradenton. Resources: cnn.com/2018/11/05/us/divorce-child-custody-tips-lisa-ling-this-is-life/index.html leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html Tags: Tampa Divorce Lawyer, Tampa Divorce Lawyers, Tampa Family Law Attorney, Tampa Family Law Attorneys Posted in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Family Law | 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