Weston Parenting Time Attorneys
In 2008, the Florida legislature removed the concept of "child custody" and "visitation" and replaced the concept with "shared parenting time" and "shared parental responsibility" based on the best interest of the children.
Mothers and fathers have an equal right to parenting time, information and decision making. Contact our experienced Fort Lauderdale child custody attorneys today toll free at 877-895-7572 to discuss your unique situation.
At Brawer, Hirsch & Associates, P.A., we take pride in directing parents toward respectful time sharing agreements through mediation and cooperative law strategies. We provide comprehensive divorce representation to help you achieve your goals.
Determining Parental Responsibility
The court treats both parents equally when determining parenting time and decision making authority. In Florida, there is no presumption of either the mother or father having greater rights. Everything turns on series of factors, which help the court decide parental responsibility and the allocation of parental time sharing that is in the best interest of the children. These factors include which parent is:
- More likely to promote a parental bond with the other parent
- More likely to keep children removed from litigation
- More familiar with the child's likes/friends/hobbies
- Familiar with the child's teachers
- More involved in the children's education
- Involved in the child's medical care (knows doctors by name)
- Carrying a history of drug abuse or domestic violence
- Carrying a diminished the reputation themselves
- Paying child support and whether that responsibility has been adequately met
- More likely to establishing a stable environment
The court will appoint a guardian at litem at the parents' expense to protect minor children's legal rights in situations that affect their welfare and where the children's interests conflict with the interests of the parents.
Serious Issues
With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have a firm understanding of how specific circumstances can affect the allocation of parenting time by the court. The courts typically assign shared parenting responsibility unless a parent's behavior requires court intervention. In these situations, a parent's rights could be terminated and sole custody could be awarded to the other parent.
Additionally, it is within the discretion of the court to assign supervised or guided time sharing for one parent — even in cases of shared parenting. In "guided" time sharing, a therapist or other professional would sit with the parent while the parent visited the child. We can evaluate your situation and provide guidance tailored to your child's needs. Our extensive experience includes providing guidance and representation for situations involving:
- Parental alienation
- Retaliation
- A parent's new boyfriend or girlfriend who is a bad influence or a felon
- Abductions (The Hague Convention)
- Relocations
- Domestic violence
- Parental Kidnapping
We Care About Your Child's Future
Our legal team is available to discuss your complicated parental time issues. To schedule an appointment with a qualified lawyer, please call us at 954-828-2749 or toll free at 877-895-7572, or you may send us an e-mail. Our office is one block south of the Broward County Courthouse. Parking is not an issue.
