Child Custody & Support Lawyer in Pensacola, FL
Protecting Your Parental Rights and Your Child’s Well-Being
Child custody and support are among the most important aspects of family law. Whether you’re navigating a parental responsibility agreement, seeking a fair time-sharing schedule, or needing to ensure your child’s financial support, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
At Craig A. Vigodsky, P.A., we understand how stressful and emotional custody battles can be. Our goal is to provide you with clear guidance and support, making sure that the best interests of your child are always the priority, while also protecting your rights as a parent.
What is Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing?
In Florida, the terms “custody” and “visitation” have been replaced by parental responsibility and time-sharing. This means both parents are expected to share responsibility for raising the child and making important decisions about their health, education, and welfare. The focus is on cooperation, with the courts emphasizing the child’s well-being and the importance of maintaining a relationship with both parents.
Craig Vigodsky can help you create a parenting plan that suits your unique situation, whether you’re working through an amicable agreement or facing a more contentious dispute. We work hard to ensure that both your and your child’s needs are met.
Factors Courts Consider in Child Custody and Time-Sharing
Florida law considers many factors when determining a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule. These factors include:
- The ability and willingness of each parent to support a close, ongoing relationship between the child and the other parent.
- How well the child’s needs (physical, emotional, educational) are being met by each parent.
- The stability of the child’s current environment and whether maintaining that stability is in the child’s best interest.
- The geographic location of both parents, especially if the time-sharing plan involves long-distance travel.
- Any history of domestic violence or abuse, which the court must consider when determining what’s best for the child.
These are just a few of the many factors courts take into account when deciding on a time-sharing and parental responsibility plan.
Child Support: Ensuring Your Child’s Future
In addition to child custody, child support is another critical issue. Florida uses specific guidelines to determine how much child support a parent must pay. These guidelines consider both parents’ incomes, the child’s needs, and how much time each parent spends with the child.
We can help ensure that your child support order is fair and that your child’s financial needs are met. Whether you’re the parent receiving support or the one making payments, we’ll work with you to ensure the order is set appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody & Support in Florida
Here is a list of common asked questions about child custody and suppport in Pensacola, FL.
How is a parenting plan created in Florida?
A parenting plan establishes how parents will share responsibility for raising their child and how time will be divided between them. Parents can create a parenting plan by agreement, or the court can establish one when the parents cannot agree.
Can a parent get 50/50 time-sharing in Florida?
Yes. Florida law allows parents to share time with their children according to a schedule that serves the child’s best interests. Equal time-sharing may be appropriate in some cases, but it is not automatically guaranteed. The court considers the circumstances of each family when establishing a time-sharing schedule.
Can a parent refuse to allow the other parent to see their child?
A parent generally should not interfere with court-ordered time-sharing. If a parent violates an existing parenting plan or court order, the other parent may have legal options to enforce the order. Parents should avoid taking matters into their own hands and should seek legal advice when serious disputes arise.
What happens if parents cannot agree on a parenting plan?
If parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court can establish a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule. The court considers the child’s best interests and the circumstances affecting the child’s relationship with each parent.
At what age can a child decide which parent to live with in Florida?
Florida does not establish a specific age at which a child can independently decide which parent to live with. Parenting decisions are based on the child’s best interests, and the court considers the statutory factors applicable to the case rather than simply allowing a child to choose a parent.
Can child support be ordered if the parents share 50/50 time-sharing?
Yes. Equal or substantially equal time-sharing does not automatically eliminate child support. Florida’s child-support calculation considers factors including the parents’ incomes, the number of children, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children.
Can child support be changed after it has been ordered?
Yes. A child support order may be modified when there is a legally sufficient change in circumstances. Changes in income, employment, time-sharing, or a child’s needs may potentially affect the amount of support, depending on the circumstances.
What happens if a parent does not pay child support?
Failure to pay court-ordered child support can result in enforcement proceedings and other legal consequences. A parent who is owed support may seek enforcement through the appropriate legal process rather than attempting to withhold the other parent’s time-sharing.
Can a parent move away with a child after a custody order?
A parent generally cannot relocate a child in a way that meets Florida’s legal definition of relocation without following the required legal process. Depending on the circumstances, the move may require the other parent’s agreement or court approval, and relocation disputes can result in changes to the parenting plan and time-sharing schedule.
Can grandparents get visitation or time-sharing with a child in Florida?
Grandparent rights in Florida are limited and depend on specific circumstances. A grandparent’s ability to obtain court-ordered visitation is not the same as a parent’s right to time-sharing, and the applicable requirements depend on the facts of the case.
Why Choose Craig A. Vigodsky?
When you’re facing a child custody or support case, you need a lawyer who will advocate for you with compassion, experience, and dedication. With over 25 years of family law experience, Craig Vigodsky is here to help you navigate the legal process and achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.
We proudly serve clients throughout the Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and nearby military bases like Eglin AFB, Whiting Field, and Pensacola NAS.
Contact Us Today
If you’re facing a child custody or support issue, let’s talk about how we can help. Call Craig A. Vigodsky, P.A., at (850) 912-8520, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We’re here to listen, guide, and fight for your family’s best interests.