Winter Park Child Custody Lawyer

Navigating a child custody dispute can be emotionally difficult and legally complex, but it does not have to be. An experienced Winter Park child custody lawyer can assist in creating a custody plan that takes into account the best interests of the child and resolving disputes with minimal friction for your family.  

At the Law Firm of Anthony Diaz, our family attorneys advocate for your rights while peacefully reaching resolutions regarding custody. We could answer your questions about custody rights and visitation while guiding you and your co-parent through the process, whether you are going through a divorce or modifying an existing order. 

What Are the Types of Child Custody?

There are two types of child custody in Winter Park that our peacemaking lawyers could help you navigate, referred to as time-sharing and parental responsibility 

Time-Sharing

Time-sharing, known as physical custody in other states, is where your child actually lives. Parents may choose to exercise joint physical custody, where the child lives with both parents on a set schedule. Parents may have a 50/50 schedule where the child resides with each parent an equal number of days, or a more varied schedule where the child may reside with one parent primarily but still have time with the other parent on a set schedule. Usually, these decisions are dictated by what is in the best interest of the child or children.

Parental Responsibilities

Parental responsibility, known as legal custody elsewhere, determines how decisions will be made on behalf of the child. Parents may also have joint parental responsibility, in which both parents share in making decisions for the child. Sole responsibility may be given to one parent who then has the exclusive right to make decisions on behalf of the child, including:

• Schooling
• Health care
• Religious upbringing
• Extracurricular activities

It is important to discuss both time-sharing and parental responsibility with an experienced child custody attorney to ensure your rights as a parent are protected during a divorce and any final decisions are what’s best for the child.

What Are the Best Interests of the Child Standards?

Custody decisions are made with the best interests of the child in mind. While you do not have to go to a contested trial to determine custody, any parenting plan our attorneys help you amicably develop has to be approved by a court to be enforced. A court will take into account several factors when determining the best interests of the child, including:

• The relationship of the child with each parent 
• The physical and mental health of the parents
• Any type of criminal history or past abuse by either parent
• Each parent’s ability to care for the daily needs of the children
• Each parent’s ability to maintain the child’s routine, school, and community ties
• Each parent’s willingness to coparent and work cooperatively with the other parent 

Our compassionate child custody lawyers in Winter Park can examine the facts of the case and guide you toward reaching an out-of-court custody resolution that keeps the best interests of the child at the forefront, so it is easily enforceable by state standards.     

Crafting Fair Parenting Plans

A parenting plan is a document that guides parents in the upbringing of their children, setting forth a detailed schedule of what parenting time will be for each parent. Your plan could include a detailed schedule of pickup and drop-off times, including a plan for holidays and school breaks. Your parenting plan could also detail how you and your co-parent will communicate with each other about your children. 

Part of the parenting plan also helps by outlining how disputes will be resolved, such as using a mediator. A detailed and comprehensive parenting plan helps you avoid having to utilize the court system to make decisions regarding your children. Our dedicated Winter Park lawyers can assist in creating a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your children and meets the child custody standards necessary for enforcing your plan.

Contact a Winter Park Lawyer Today For Help With Child Custody Concerns

Determining child custody and creating a parenting plan can be difficult. You need a detailed plan that addresses time-sharing and parental responsibilities to avoid court intervention. An experienced Winter Park child custody lawyer can help you create a parenting plan that works best for your child. The Law Firm of Anthony Diaz is dedicated to working toward peaceful resolutions of your parenting issues. Contact our team today to discuss your custody issues.