Visitation

Orlando & Central Florida Child Visitation Lawyers

At Adams, Luka, & Benton, we believe that parents of children should be well informed regarding the custody and visitation laws in Florida. When parents divorce or unmarried parents separate, the most difficult issues faced are typically those involving the establishment of visitation and time sharing arrangements with the children. A parent who is not awarded primary custody of his or her child or children has a legal right to extensive contact, unless such factors as abuse or neglect exist. Our goal is to represent your interests and achieve the results you desire. We understand that divorce or the separation of non-married parents is extremely difficult for everyone involved, particularly the children.

Orange County Visitation Lawyers Help Parents Understand the Factors Involved in Determining Custody and Visitation Matters

In Florida, the language used in matters involving child custody and visitation has changed. Lawmakers prefer to refer to these matters in terms of "parental time-sharing," and legislature has abolished the concept of visitation, and primary/secondary child custody. Today, visitation is not the idea that many people have in their minds as two weekends per month spent with a non-custodial parent, but rather a concept that involves a more equal, balanced amount of time spent with each parent.

As experienced child visitation lawyers, we know that the facts in every case are unique, and that the amount of time spent with children by both parents depends on a number of factors. If you are searching for information regarding visitation time with your children, it is important to understand what factors courts use in establishing parental time sharing and responsibility. These factors include:

How long a child/children have lived in an environment that is stable and satisfactory
Both parents' moral fitness
Preference of the child/children, within reason
Parents' physical and mental health
Whether the time sharing plan is viable in terms of geography
Each parent's disposition and capacity in the facilitation and encouragement of close parent/child relationship
Parents must demonstrate their desire and ability to put the needs of the children above their own
Whether false information has been provided to the court regarding domestic violence or other abuse
Substance abuse issues of either parent
How parental responsibilities and tasks were divided in the past
The ability of each parent to maintain a consistent routine for the child/children

As you can see, there are many factors involved in determining visitation, or the parental time-sharing of children.

Florida courts prefer that parents who share children come to an agreement that is satisfactory to both, however when you cannot agree on parental time-sharing or visitation, the judge will develop a parenting plan. The amount of time you spend with your children can also have an impact on the amount of child support you pay.

Contact Orlando Family Law Attorneys Adams, Luka, & Benton Now

At Adams, Luka, & Benton, we understand that family relationships and dynamics change, and the effect those changes can have on children and their parents. Our goal is to make issues regarding parental time-sharing or custody and visitation as simple as possible, and to help clients avoid the stress, anxiety, and contention often present in life-changing circumstances. We invite residents in Central Florida to call us today at 407-872-0303 or 352-357-4084.