Your kids are probably looking forward to three months of freedom. However, if you co-parent, this time can be challenging. You and your child’s other parent will have to work out a schedule just for summer vacation, which can be difficult and stressful. While it’s...
Child Custody & Visitation
Can your ex cancel scheduled parenting time?
Your parenting plan or custody order is the rulebook for sharing parental rights and responsibilities. There will be guidance about time-sharing and also how you split decision-making authority. You should follow the parenting plan and communicate as soon as possible...
Do you have to go to court to establish paternity in Florida?
Unmarried fathers have the same rights as any parents under Florida law. However, they have to establish their paternity before they can ask for parenting time or custody of their children. Some men put off establishing custody because they think it will be difficult...
Making the most out of joint custody
Settling disputes over child custody is likely to be a key factor in your divorce. Other than in extreme circumstances, the courts typically prefer both parents to play a role in the upbringing of a child. Consequently, it is possible that you will be awarded joint...
Remember these important points about custody battles
Going through a divorce while you have children still living at home means that you’ll have to try to figure out what’s going to happen with the kids. Some parents are able to work together to come up with a parenting plan. Others have to go through a contentious...
Why divorce can cause sibling rivalry – and how to prevent it
You may think that it’s easier for kids to go through a parental divorce when they have siblings – particularly if they’re close in age. An only child may feel like no one understands what they’re feeling or going through. Siblings can support each other through all...
You have the right to request an updated Florida custody order
Your parenting plan, once called a custody order, outlines your obligations to your children and to your ex when you have formal time-sharing after your divorce. Whether you negotiated your own parenting plan or adopted one created by the judge overseeing your...
Lost your job? Maybe you can help with more custody time
Often, when people lose their jobs they worry that they won’t be able to see their children. They worry that the other parent will try to keep custody more because they are unable to provide for their kids. Job instability is nothing new. There are people all around...
Getting greater custody of your children after getting sober
Substance abuse issues like alcoholism and drug abuse are contributing factors in many divorces. When a couple has children, divorce often means the parent who’s struggling with alcohol and/or drugs gets only minimal custody or visitation rights. That doesn’t have to...
Steps you must take to establish paternity if you want to request custody in Florida
While the state automatically considers children born to married moms and dads as belonging to both of them, they don't view unmarried parents similarly. Maternal rights are automatically conferred at the time of a child's birth, but state law requires unmarried...