What are my Child Visitation Rights after a Divorce in Florida?
Going through a divorce is difficult enough without also taking into account the potential impact that it could have on your children and your ability to spend time with them. There is a significant amount of debate amongst everyone involved—from policymakers, to judges and mental health professionals—on what is best for children. As a result, it is crucial that you educate yourself about Florida state child visitation laws and regulations so that you are prepared to do what’s best to protect you and your family—both by doing the research, and working with an experienced family law attorney. The Law in Florida on Child Visitation As in other states, the primary consideration of the law in Florida is what is in the best interest of the child. After divorce, parents in Florida come up with a parenting plan which includes a time-sharing schedule, and that schedule governs each parent’s relationship with the minor child. Once established, the determination or schedule cannot be modified without a showing of substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances (as well as a determination that the modification is in the best interests of the child, of course). But how does the law specifically determine what is in the best interest of the child? State statute evaluates a variety of factors deemed to be important to the welfare and interests of the child and the circumstances of that family, including but not limited to: The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, honor the time-sharing schedule, be reasonable when changes are required, stay informed of the circumstances of the child (such as their friends, teachers, medical needs, activities, etc.), provide a consistent routine for the child, communicate with and keep the other parent informed, etc.; The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after litigation; The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine and act upon the needs of the child (as opposed to their own); The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after litigation (including any delegation of parental responsibilities to third parties); The length of time the child has spent in a stable, satisfactory environment (and the desire to remain in that environment); The geographic viability of the parenting plan (with special attention to the needs of the child and traveling times); The moral fitness and physical/mental health of the parents; The home, school, and community record of the child; (If applicable) the reasonable preference of the child; Any evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; The ability of the parent(s) to maintain an environment for the child which is free of substance abuse; and Any other factor that is relevant to the determination of the parenting plan. Florida Divorce & Child Custody/Visitation Attorneys Whether you are simply contemplating divorce or are concerned about child custody and visitation rights, we can help. The attorneys at HD Law Partners are experienced timesharing and parenting plan attorneys who both understand the complexities and difficulties involved in family and divorce law, but at the same time, fight aggressively for our clients’ rights. We regularly work with families in Orlando, Sarasota, and Tampa to ensure that their best interests are protected. Contact us today to find out how we can help. Resources: https://acfc.org/acfc/assets/documents/Articles/Nebraska%20Lawyer%20Magazine.pdf https://leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html Tags: Child Visitation Rights, Florida Family Law Attorney, Florida Family Law Attorneys, Florida Timesharing Arrangements 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