Child Custody, Support and Visitation at the Law Office of Maggie Jo Hilliard, P.A.
If you have children, a dissolution does not mean your relationship with your former spouse will be over forever. The laws of the State of Florida are tailored to provide for children with the "best interests of the child" standard. You and your ex-spouse will need to communicate and cooperate regarding your children both during your divorce and after.
The Law Office of Maggie Jo Hilliard, P.A. can assist you with issues such as legal custody, residential custody, parenting plans and child support.
Legal Child Custody
Legal custody is the legal concept regarding the right to share in decision-making processes concerning your child. Issues regarding education, medical care and upbringing of a child are important. Florida laws favor joint legal custody of children unless compelling reasons exist to place a child/children in the custody of one parent.
Residential Child Custody
Residential custody is the legal concept of where a child/children will live. Parenting plans vary depending on familial circumstances and can involve rotating child custody plans to traditional plans in which one parent has primary residential custody and the other parent has visitation.
When determining child custody, Florida judges consider the "best interests of the child" rationale. Some factors include:
- Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the nonresidential parent?
- The bonds of affection between each parents and the child
- The ability of each parent to meet the child's needs
- The length of time the child has lived in a stable and satisfactory environment
- The permanence of the custodial home
- The moral fitness, mental health and physical health of the parents
- The preference of the child
Child Support
Child Support Guidelines are utilized in the State of Florida. To read the statute, click here.
These guidelines are utilized to determine the amount of child support that will be ordered.
The guidelines consider the income of each parent and the number of children. A child support order will include a requirement to pay for the child's health care coverage.
For state statutes regarding the following issues, please click the links below:
Termination of Parental Rights
Protection Investigations
Determination of Parentage
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
If you and your spouse are getting divorced, it is important to consult an attorney because adequate counsel can assist in achieving your goals. To set up a consultation to discuss your family law issues, contact The Law Office of Maggie Jo Hilliard, P.A. at (904) 247-7600 or utilize the contact form on this site.
At the Law Office of Maggie Jo Hilliard, P.A., your emotional and legal issues are a consideration. Divorce is difficult on the entire family, and no one is truly a winner in the dispute. It is important to keep your children's best interest at heart throughout the process, as it is easy to traumatize a child when divorces turn ugly. Keep in mind that a peaceful and harmonious transition is in the best interest of your children.