Child Custody Lawyers in Jacksonville Fl

Child Custody Lawyers in Jacksonville, Fl

Child Support and Child Custody as Prescribed by Law

First, child custody lawyers are important if you are considering a divorce with children are involved. The State of Florida has formed a public policy that is concerned with the importance of both parents and guardians being involved in all aspects of their children’s lives.

No longer do the courts believe it is in the child’s best interest to have only one parent making all the choices when it comes to raising a child.

Studies have shown that when both parents have constant or frequent contact with their children, even when one parent has what used to be called “Custody”, children benefit.

Under Florida law, plans are now being formed that detail how both parents will share the tasks for the maintenance, care, welfare and health choices that affect their children.

Parenting Plans define the roles each parent will play and the duties they will assume.

Florida Statute 61.13 sets forth the terms of a parenting plan. The statute outlines parental responsibilities that include time-sharing schedules, matters of health care, school matters and daily tasks of the raising and well-being of the child.

Factors To Take Into Consideration

A ruling is made by weighing all factors that affect the interests and welfare of the child, which include:

• Conduct which could be harmful to the child

• Splitting duties for the child’s best interests

• Sole parental duties

• Non-limited access to records and other data pertaining to the minor child

• Urges parents to act in the best interest of the child as opposed to their own desires

• Considers the desirability of constant, stable environment

• Geographic concerns about parental travel to and from the child

• Continued moral fitness of the parents

• Physical and mental stability of parents

• Court considers the home, school and community record of the child

• Reasonable preferences of the child

• Parental concerns about the well-being of the child

• Demonstrate a stable routine for the child

• Open lines of parental contact and a unified front

• Concerns about domestic issues such as abuse or neglect

• Division of parental duties

• Considerations of all aspects of the child’s life, well-being and support

• Parental disputes

Changing of a Prior Court Order

Family Law Lawyers at Wood, Atter & Wolf are skilled child custody lawyers in petitioning the court on behalf of a parent wanting to make changes to an existing child support order.

Change requests may involve either parent (the one being paid child support or the one paying it). The most common reason for a change in the child support amount is a large change in income.

Florida Statute requires a “substantial change in financial circumstances” to request a modification.

Based on the child support calculator, the required change must be at least 15% or $50, whichever is greater.

Procedures to modify child support depend on the jurisdiction of the court and if your case has been involved with the Florida Department of Revenue.

Michael Atter and Jennifer Eringer have extensive knowledge and skill as child custody lawyers in filing Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support on behalf of either parent seeking a change.

Parental Relocation with a Child

Parental relocation with a child can be a tough and complex process. Parents seeking to move must first file a “petition to relocate” and serve or give notice to the other party.

Since the court is concerned with constant contributions by both parents, exact reasons for the move and a detailed proposal revising the parenting plan must be submitted.

Objection to the relocation of a child can be filed showing truthful reasons why the move should be denied by the court.

This restrains the relocation of a minor child. The court can issue an order to return the child to the non-relocating parent if the relocation has already taken place.

Again, the court must review all factors that are in the best interest of the child’s ongoing care.

Wood, Atter & Wolf child custody lawyers are very familiar with petitions for relocation due to the amount of military families who reside in the Northeast Florida area, and have sought legal help to secure or prohibit child relocation.