Provide Your Children With A Secure Future
When parents separate, establishing appropriate arrangements for children becomes paramount. Our Jacksonville child custody and visitation lawyers understand the emotional challenges families face during these transitions. We focus on creating stable environments that support your child’s development while protecting your parental rights.
At Sheppard, White, Kachergus, & DeMaggio, P.A. Attorneys & Counselors at Law, we approach each case with sensitivity to your family’s unique dynamics.
Understanding Custody Arrangements In Florida
Florida courts recognize two fundamental aspects of custody that shape your parental responsibilities. These are:
- Legal custody: Grants decision-making authority for education, health care, religious upbringing and other significant aspects of your child’s life
- Physical custody: Determines where your child primarily resides and the time allocation between parents
Many parents misunderstand these distinctions, potentially compromising their rights. Our child custody and visitation lawyer team explains these concepts clearly, helping you pursue arrangements that truly serve your family.
Florida courts generally favor shared responsibility when appropriate, but numerous factors influence these determinations. We help you navigate this complex terrain while advocating for reasonable solutions.
Putting Your Child’s Interests First
Courts evaluate custody arrangements through the lens of what benefits children most. Factors considered include:
- Stability and safety of each home environment
- Each parent’s demonstrated capacity for childcare
- Established relationships and routines
- Children’s educational needs
- Ability of parents to cooperate
Our attorneys help you demonstrate your commitment to your child’s well-being through carefully prepared evidence and thoughtful testimony. We focus on constructive approaches that showcase your parenting strengths while addressing legitimate concerns.
Establishing Meaningful Visitation Rights
Visitation schedules create the framework for ongoing parent-child relationships. These arrangements must balance:
- Practical logistics like the distance between homes
- Work schedules and other commitments
- Children’s academic and extracurricular activities
- Special occasions and holidays
Our Jacksonville child custody and visitation lawyer team develops creative solutions for challenging circumstances. We recognize that visitation issues often intersect with other family law matters, including divorce, paternity determinations and child support calculations.
Do Dads Automatically Get 50/50 Custody In Florida?
Florida law doesn’t guarantee equal timesharing for fathers. Courts start with no presumption about which parent should have the majority of time. Instead, judges evaluate multiple factors to determine arrangements that serve children best.
Fathers who actively participate in childcare and demonstrate commitment to their children’s well-being have strong foundations for pursuing substantial timesharing.
Can A Mother Withhold A Child From The Father In Florida?
Without court orders specifying otherwise, both legal parents have equal rights to their children. However, withholding children without legitimate safety concerns often violates court orders and damages your credibility.
Courts typically view such actions unfavorably unless genuine danger exists. Our attorneys help address emergency situations properly through legal channels.
Can Keeping A Child Away From The Other Parent Backfire?
Interfering with established custody arrangements frequently damages your legal position. Courts may modify orders, reduce your parenting time or even transfer primary custody when parents demonstrate unwillingness to support relationships with both parents.
Judges prioritize children’s needs for stability and meaningful connections with both parents when possible.
Secure Your Child’s Future Today
Your children deserve thoughtful, legally sound custody arrangements that protect their well-being. At Sheppard, White, Kachergus, & DeMaggio, P.A., we provide compassionate guidance through every step of establishing or modifying custody and visitation.
Call us at 904-356-9661 or access our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced family law team.