SARASOTA COUNTY CHILD CUSTODY LAWYER
Child Custody Lawyer in Sarasota County, Florida
If you’re going through a divorce in Sarasota County, Florida, child custody may be one of the most pressing questions you and your spouse have to face. Child custody battles can be difficult for both parents and children involved. With your children’s future and welfare at stake, you cannot afford to try to handle a child custody battle alone. You need a skilled and experienced child custody lawyer in Sarastoa County, Florida who can help you protect your rights and the rights of your children.
Florida law has provisions to ensure that both parents maintain regular contact with their children. The courts generally favor child custody agreements in which both parents share the responsibility of raising the children. In most cases, joint custody will be awarded to both parents, meaning both parents will retain full parental responsibility. In some cases, spouses will have to make decisions about which parent will make decisions about the children’s religious, educational, dental, or medical needs. Parents may make these determinations outside of court, or a judge may make these decisions in court. In general, most parents choose to resolve these matters outside of court, with the help of a lawyer, in order to ensure a result that is favorable to both parties. A judge’s determination is final and binding and may not be what both parties want for their children. In order to ensure the best outcome and to prevent the court from drafting a parenting plan of its own, spouses often draft up a parenting plan outside of court. In all cases, Florida courts make decisions about child custody based on the best interests of the children. Parenting plans drafted outside of court must meet this standard. In order to draft a successful parenting plan, it is a good idea to seek the counsel of a skilled child custody lawyer. In some cases, spouses cannot agree about a parenting plan and a child custody battle must be fought in court. Whatever unique circumstances you face, the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb can help.
What Factors Are Considered in a Child Custody Battle?
If you are facing a child custody battle in Sarasota County, Florida, it is important to understand what factors the court will take into account in determining child custody. Many factors are considered by a court in determining child custody in Florida. In general, the court will consider the following factors:
- The best interests of the child
- Parents’ mental and physical health
- The children’s school history
- Whether the parent seeking custody can offer a permanent home
- Parents’ finances
- Ties between the children and the parents
- History of domestic violence
Based on these factors, the court can determine to award sole custody to one parent, custody to both parents, or physical custody to one parent and joint custody to both parents. The court can also award only one parent the authority to make certain important decisions for the children. Because the courts have a wide range of authority in these matters, it is important for parents to seek a child custody lawyer to ensure that the best interests of the children are met and to protect your parental rights. Determination of child custody and parental rights is a very complicated process. The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb understands how stressful a child custody battle can be. We offer compassionate counsel and aggressive representation to ensure that your family’s needs are met and your rights are protected.
Protecting Your Children
In general, the court wants to see that children are able to live in a stable environment with a parent capable of providing for the children’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs. In some cases, if children are old enough to express a preference of where they will want to live, the children’s wishes may be considered by the court. Additionally, if there is a history of physical or emotional violence, your wish to protect your children will be great. Seeking the counsel of an experienced child custody lawyer is essential to ensuring that a strong case is made to ensure that your children are protected. A child custody lawyer can make sure that all proper court processes are followed.
Once a parenting plan has been approved or mandated by the court, both parents are required to comply. Failure to do so can lead to fines or contempt. During a child custody battle, child support payments will also be determined. It is important that you seek the counsel of a lawyer to help you during this process as well, as the formulas used and the proper interpretation of financial matters is important in order to afford you a more favorable outcome.
If you’re facing a child custody battle, you need a child custody lawyer in Sarasota County, Florida. The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb can help you receive an outcome that is best for your family. Contact us today to learn more.
