When a married couple undergoes a divorce, certain matters need to be thoroughly discussed to make the process beneficial for both parties and most especially for any children involved.
Try to remember the choices you and your ex make now will affect your child’s development and your relationship with the child for years and years. While the best interests of the child can be difficult to quantify, some factors which may determine best interests include:
- Physical health of each parent;
- The mental health of each parent;
- Religious considerations;
- Cultural considerations;
- If the child is old enough, or mature enough, the wishes of the child;
- The support and opportunity for interaction with extended family members;
- The need for the continuation of a stable home environment;
- For special needs children, the manner in which each parent addresses those needs;
- The age and sex of the child;
- The ability of the child to adjust to changes in school or community;
- The relationship of the child with siblings and other members of the household;
- One parent’s excessive discipline of the child;
- Emotional abuse directed at the child by one parent;
- Any pattern of domestic violence, and
- Evidence of parental drug, alcohol, or child/sex abuse.
Dealing With Child Custody Issues
The laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to talk with a qualified, experienced divorce/paternity lawyer when dealing with types of child custody issues. Getting the Florida child custody help and advice you deserve is as easy as filling out the form on this site or picking up the phone and giving us a call. Atty. Mellany Marquez-Kelly from Marquez-Kelly Law will fight for your child custody rights. Don’t leave a decision this important to chance – get help from a proven winner, a true professional, speak to a Florida child custody attorney.
If the divorcing parties have disagreements regarding child custody/parental responsibility, then the matter will have to be decided by the courts.
It must be understood that the same rules are applied by Florida courts. The child’s well-being and safety are considered first and foremost.
This is decided through an evaluation of some factors, which may include the parents’ ability to support the child;
- Mental
- Physical
- The moral fitness of each parent;
- Geographic matters
- History of abuse
- Violence within the family
Older children who are mature enough to make decisions for themselves can be allowed by the courts to make a preference.
Two Kinds of Custody in Florida
- Legal custody: determines which parent makes larger decisions regarding the child’s life, such as education and disciplinary decisions.
- Physical custody: gets to be the one the child will live with. Parental responsibility also comes in two forms, sole or shared.
In Florida, shared parental responsibility is usually encouraged by the courts if possible, as it gives both parents the privilege to share care and support with their children.
Child Custody Attorney In Florida
When it comes to discussing child custody in Fort Myers, Florida, Atty. Mellany Marquez-Kelly is the person to approach. Having practiced family law for many years, Atty. Mellany has the expertise and experience to provide you with successful legal counsel and has the aggressiveness to protect your rights and that of your children’s when required. She has a thorough understanding of Florida law and has helped many residents in Southwest Florida receive favorable resolutions to their family law matters. For a FREE half-hour consultation, contact the law office of Atty. Mellany Marquez-Kelly at 239-214-0403.