why would a lawyer want to speak to a child in a custody case in florida

by Meghan Brown 10 min read

Do I need a lawyer for child custody in Florida?

Oct 12, 2020 · See Florida Statute 61.13. Florida custody law does not give any preference to mothers or fathers when deciding child custody matters. Instead, the custody arrangement will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. An attorney is not required in Florida child custody cases but can be very helpful.

Can a judge speak to a child in a custody case?

May 16, 2019 · Child custody law in Florida is based on Florida Statutes, prior court decisions, and the general policy and attitudes of the courts. Custody and parenting decisions are based mainly on the “best interests of the child.” That means the entire custody decision revolves around children’s interests – not parent’s interests.

Why Florida law advisers for child custody?

Talk with your child custody lawyer at the beginning of the divorce to get an understanding of what you should and should not do or say in the presence of your child. The Opinions of Others Sometimes, when making child custody arrangements, a judge may seek the opinions of others involved in your child’s life.

Why hire an attorney for a child custody case?

Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 400 previously answered Florida Child Custody questions. Child Custody. Legal Issue. Administrative. Admiralty And Maritime. Adoptions. Alcoholic Beverages. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Americans With Disabilities Act.

At what age does a judge listen to a child in Florida?

However, most judges will take into account a child's preference around the age of 12 or 13, along with other factors such as the child's intelligence, maturity, child's experiences with each parent and whether the child understands the decision being made.

What do judges look for in child custody cases Florida?

In a Florida divorce or child custody case, the judge will consider the children's best interests when deciding how time-sharing will be allocated amongst the parents. See Florida Statute 61.13. Florida custody law does not give any preference to mothers or fathers when deciding child custody matters.Oct 12, 2020

What two factors do courts consider most when deciding on the custody of a child?

Here are the nine things that a court will be looking at when deciding custody arrangements.
  • The Wishes of the Parents. ...
  • The Wishes of the Children. ...
  • The Relationship Between Children & Each Parent. ...
  • Mental & Physical Health of Children & Parent. ...
  • The Willingness of Parents to Work with Each Other.

What age can a child decide not to see a parent in Florida?

As a general rule, children 12 years of age and older are seen as eligible to make a decision on which parent they want to live with, simply because they most often meet the criteria described above.Jul 22, 2019

How a mother can lose a custody battle?

A mother who is proven to have physically and or psychologically abused her children is highly likely to lose custody of her children. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, kicking, scratching, biting, burning, physical torture, sexual abuse, or any other type of injury inflicted on the child by the mother.

Is Florida a 50/50 child custody State?

You likely have questions about child custody, and how often you will be able to see your children. You may have heard Florida is a 50/50 child custody state, but there is no statutory requirement that mom and dad will split 50/50 parenting time – in fact, nowhere is this mentioned in Florida custody law.Jul 15, 2019

How do you win a custody battle against a narcissist?

How Do You Win a Custody Case Against a Narcissist? Follow These 9 Steps
  1. #1 Remember That You Are Dealing With a Narcissist. ...
  2. #2 Take Note of Everything That Happens. ...
  3. #3 Stop or Limit Communication. ...
  4. #4 Contact Law Enforcement. ...
  5. #6 Ensure Your Physical Safety. ...
  6. #8 Continue Being Dependable. ...
  7. #9 Secure the Right Attorney. ...
  8. Stay Calm.
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Mar 16, 2021

What are the 12 best interest factors child custody?

Child Custody and The 12 Best Interest Factors
  • Permanence of the family home. ...
  • Moral fitness of the parties. ...
  • Parents health. ...
  • Successful schooling. ...
  • Preference of the child. ...
  • Parent facilitates and encourages a close and continuing parent-child relationship with other parent. ...
  • Domestic violence. ...
  • Court determined relevant factor.
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Nov 22, 2013

What decides who gets custody of a child?

The child's age, gender, characteristics and background will all be a factor in the decision process. The judge or magistrate will want to ensure that the child is safe from any possible harm and the parent has the ability to meet the child's needs.

What rights does a father have in Florida?

Florida calls their custody and visitation rights parental responsibility and time-sharing. Parental rights include decision-making input. Florida law provides several ways for a father to establish paternity of a child born out of wedlock: Marriage of the parents.

When can you deny visitation to the non-custodial parent?

The court can restrict or deny a noncustodial parent visitation grounds on the flowing grounds: If the parent has a history of molesting the child. If the court believes that the parent can kidnap the child. If the parent is likely to abuse drugs while taking care of the child.Apr 16, 2020

How old does a child have to be to decide who they want to live with?

16 years old
In law, there is no fixed age that determines when a child can express a preference as to where they want to live. However, legally, a child cannot decide who they want to live with until they are 16 years old. Once a child reaches the age of 16, they are legally allowed to choose which parent to live with.

Overview of Child Custody in Florida

In 2008, the Florida legislature made broad changes in laws associated with custody. One of those changes was to eliminate the words “custody,” “cu...

Your Custody Rights vs. The Best Interests of Your Child

1. Physical health of each parent; 2. Mental health of each parent; 3. Religious considerations; 4. Cultural considerations; 5. If the child is old...

What A Judge Will Consider When Deciding on Parental Responsibility

If you and your child’s other parent are unable to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement regarding how parental responsibilities will be shared,...

The Role of Mediation in A Florida Child Custody Case

Mediation for parental responsibilities can allow parents to avoid hostile, stressful or traumatic court battles, allowing both parents to reach a...

What You Need to Know About A Florida Parenting Plan

Florida law requires parents to create a parenting plan which will meet the needs of the individual child. This plan will then be approved by the c...

Other Issues Related to The Granting of Sole Or Shared Parental Responsibility

Some parents wonder whether their decision to remarry will affect their chances for sole parental responsibility. In fact, unless the new spouse co...

Custody Issues Outside of A Divorce

Although most custody issues are in relation to a divorce, there are custody issues associated with paternity, guardianship, juvenile delinquency a...