Largo Child Custody Lawyer
Deciding custody matters is quite possibly the most contested aspect of a divorce that involves children. You need a Largo child custody lawyer that will firmly hold your best interests at heart, and who will be able to show the court the type of parent that you are. Because when the matter is left to the court, the child’s best interest (in the eye of the judge) will always be pursued. While it is generally in the best interest of a child to spend equal time with each parent, that may not be feasible, the court may not agree with that philosophy, or you may know that the other parent is incapable of caring for their child in this capacity.
How the Court Determines What is in the Best Interest of the Child
In an ideal world, custody disputes can be resolved amicably or through mediation. Each party should be represented by an attorney during such a meeting, which has the goal of coming to a compromise without going to court. When the matter cannot be solved in this manner, it must be taken before a judge who will make the final decision in the child’s best interest. But what does that mean? The court takes all of the following factors into consideration to make this decision, as per statute 61.13:
- Ability of each parent to adhere to the time sharing schedule and ensure reasonable changes;
- Ability of each parent to put the needs of their child before their own;
- Length of time child has lived in a stable environment;
- Moral fitness of each parent;
- Mental and physical health of each parent;
- Community and educational needs of the child;
- Wishes of the child if they are old enough;
- Each parent’s knowledge and capacity to be informed about the child’s teachers, friends, and daily activities;
- Domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other potential misdeeds of each parent;
- History of drug or alcohol abuse;
- Ability of each parent to communicate with the other; and
- Much more.
A Father’s Place is in the Home Too
Fathers are spending more and more time with their children than in past generations, and no longer do courts automatically give mothers full custody and fathers one weekend a month. According to USA Today,more fathers are seeking 50/50 custody than ever before. Back in 1989, only five percent of stay at home fathers stated that they were in the home to care for their children (as opposed to other reasons such as not being able to find work). In 2012, the times had already changed quite a lot: 21 percent of stay at home dads did so to raise their children. As a father, you are seen as an equal when it comes to raising your children, and you have the right to fight for joint custody, or even full custody should the mother be unfit for that responsibility.
Our Largo Child Custody Lawyers Can Help
Ensure that your custody rights are represented by working with the Largo attorneys of Cairns Law, P.A. We provide mothers and fathers with the tools necessary to achieve their desired custody rights, parenting plan, and time sharing agreements. Call today at 727-683-1472.
