Determining who gets custody of the children is often one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce. In Florida, like in many other states, the court’s primary focus is finding what is best for the child.
Understanding the different custody options can help parents navigate this complicated process and make informed decisions. Here are some of the primary custody arrangements available in a Florida divorce.
Sole parental responsibility
In some cases, the court may grant sole parental responsibility to one parent. This happens when the court determines that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child. In such cases, one parent makes all decisions regarding the child’s welfare, education, health care and other important matters.
Shared parental responsibility
Florida courts often prefer to award shared parental responsibility. This arrangement requires both parents to confer and agree on major decisions affecting the child’s welfare.
Majority time-sharing
While shared parental responsibility is common, the time a child spends with each parent may not be equal. In majority time-sharing, the child lives with one parent most of the time, but the other parent has regular visitation rights.
Equal time-sharing
Sometimes, the court may determine that it is in the best interest of the child for parents to have equal time-sharing. In this arrangement, the child spends an equal amount of time living with each parent. This arrangement requires a high degree of cooperation between the parents and is often used when parents live close to each other and can effectively co-parent.
Florida offers several custody options for parents going through a divorce. The deciding factor in any custody decision should always be the best interest of the child. Parents should consider their own circumstances, their ability to co-parent and the needs and welfare of their child when considering these options. Ultimately, the final decision should be one that provides the most stable and loving environment for the child.
