Tampa Custody Lawyer Helps Parents Protect Their Children

Skilled advocate tackles time-sharing and authority issues

When parents of minor children break up, the top priority should be the health and welfare of their children. A skillful attorney can resolve parenting disputes while maintaining the proper perspective. At the Palma Family Law, P.A. in Tampa, we represent Gulf Coast clients in matters involving legal authority and time-sharing (the terms Florida law uses for custody). If parents cannot agree on a suitable arrangement, the courts are required to make a decision that is in the best interests of the child. In most cases, parental responsibility for a minor child will be shared by both parents so that each retains full parental rights and responsibilities with respect to their child. Shared parenting requires parents to confer so that major decisions affecting the welfare of the child will be determined jointly. In time-sharing matters, our firm prepares and advocates for detailed parenting plans that are in the children’s best interest.

Knowledgeable advisor outlines key factors in custody determinations

Judges required to make decisions on time-sharing arrangements rightly have the discretion to examine all relevant information. Florida law lists many factors that can be considered during these evaluations. Some of the most important considerations are:

• The length of time the child has been in his/her current environment and the need to maintain as much continuity as possible
• The parents’ divided responsibilities and their ability to put their child’s needs first
• The fitness of the parents in moral, physical and mental terms
• The parent’s ability to provide a routine, including their work schedule and free time
• The child’s preference if he/she is deemed mature enough to have a say in the matter
• The parent’s involvement in their child’s life, such as doctors’ appointments or extracurricular activities
• The occurrences of violence, abuse or neglect

Whether your custody issue arises from a divorce or other relationship, our family law firm will serve as a trustworthy advocate for your child’s best interests.

Accomplished advocate represents parents in relocation matters

Relocation to a distant new home can impact the relationships between a child and the parents. If a parent seeks to move a child more than 50 miles from their current home, approval must be granted by the other parent or a judge. When the dispute cannot be resolved by the parents, the one seeking to move must petition the court to demonstrate the reason for the relocation and present a plan to maintain appropriate time-sharing for the noncustodial parent.

Contact a seasoned Florida child custody lawyer to schedule an appointment

The Palma Family Law, P.A. represents Florida clients in child custody matters and a complete range of family law cases. Please call 813-693-5158 or contact us online to schedule a meeting at our Tampa office.