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...
Child Custody & Visitation
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...
Prepping ahead of a child custody hearing is a great idea
Florida residents who are preparing for a child custody hearing know that they have to be prepared if they want the hearing to go their way. Custody hearings can be set up between divorcing parents or even between parents who were never married. The ultimate goal is...
Can parents in Florida make changes to their parenting plan?
After weeks of discussing the issue with your former spouse, you thought that you finally had a parenting plan figured out. But now that you've put it into practice, you're realizing that your parenting plan doesn't work after all. Can you modify a plan once it's been...