Tampa, Florida Child Custody and Support Lawyer
In Florida when both parents are found to be legally fit, shared parental responsibility is awarded to both parties. In accordance with the shared parental responsibility statute both parents have a right to share in all major decisions affecting the minor children such as education, medical and religious activities. In those rare cases where parents just cannot agree on any issue related to the minor child, the Court may grant one parent, the ultimate decision making in regards to the child's education, medical or religion needs. Effective October 1, 2008 the law changed regarding the designation of time with the minor children. There is no longer a designation of "custodial" parent and it seems the Florida Courts are interpreting this new change in the Florida Statute as an opportunity to devise a parenting plan specific to each child and each family. The term "timesharing" is now used, rather than the term "custody". The Court's will review several legal elements to determine what type of timesharing plan is in the best interest of the minor children.
In those rare cases, when a parent is found to be unfit, Sole Parental Responsibility may be awarded to the other parent. This scenario generally results in some type of limited or supervised visitation for the non-custodial parent. Often this is the result of any bad behavior of the non-custodial parent that results in detrimental harm to the minor children. As an example use of illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, abandonment, neglect, or physical abuse that negatively affects the child's well-being can all result in a finding of Sole Parental Responsibility.
Please note that every case is different and a unique parenting plan will be devised by our office for each case involving children.
Child Visitation (Time Sharing):
Florida Family Law Courts encourage both parents to be actively involved with their minor children. Unless Sole Parental Responsibility has been ordered Court (sole parental responsibility is the exception, not the rule), each parent has a right to timesharing with the minor child and visitation is not connected to whether the non-custodial parent has paid child support.
Child Support:
Florida has established child support guidelines that calculate the child support due, which is based on the income earned by both parents. Some of the expenses included in child support calculation are daycare expenses, health and dental insurance costs. In some cases an upward or downward deviation of child support may be sought depending on several factors which your attorney will discuss with you in detail.
Contact Us
To schedule a consultation with attorney Patricia Palma, contact us online or call us at (813) 258-3211.
The Law Office of Patricia Palma, P.A.
120 S. Willow Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
Telephone: (813) 258-3211
Fax: (813) 258-3222
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