Protecting Parental Rights and Establishing Stability for Your Children
Time-Sharing, Responsibility, and Parenting Plans
Florida law requires all separating parents to establish a comprehensive Parenting Plan. This document governs all essential aspects of the children’s lives and is the foundation for post-divorce stability.
Key Areas of Parental Planning
- Time-Sharing / Custody / Visitation: We develop detailed, practical time-sharing schedules that specify when the children will be with each parent. While the term “custody” is outdated in Florida, we focus on creating schedules that provide continuity in the child’s life, including arrangements for holidays, school breaks, and transportation.
- Parental Responsibility: This determines how parents will share or allocate decision-making authority regarding major issues, including education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. We advocate for solutions that align with the child’s best interests and the unique dynamics of your family.
- Parenting/Parenting Plans: We draft the full, legally-required Parenting Plan, covering all daily activities, methods of communication between parents, and contingency plans, ensuring the document is robust and enforceable.
Paternity and Parental Relocation
The legal framework governing parental rights extends beyond marriage dissolution. We assist clients in establishing rights, responsibilities, and appropriate time-sharing in specialized scenarios.
Establishing and Maintaining Parental Rights
- Paternity: We represent clients seeking to legally establish paternity for children born outside of marriage. This is necessary for the father to secure time-sharing rights and shared parental responsibility, as well as to establish child support obligations.
- Parental Relocation: If a parent wishes to move a child’s residence 50 miles or more from their current location, Florida law requires a specific petition and court approval. We represent parents seeking to relocate or those opposing a relocation request, building a strong case based on the statutory factors governing the child’s best interests.
Advanced Parental Issues and Litigation
Even after a final judgment, circumstances may require judicial intervention to secure a child’s well-being or your parental status.
- Termination of Parental Rights: We handle specific, non-dependency actions related to the voluntary termination of parental rights, or where grounds exist under Florida statute, which is necessary in certain family restructuring contexts.
- Modifications & Enforcement: If there is a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances (e.g., a change in a parent’s work schedule or the child’s needs), we handle post-judgment modifications to the existing time-sharing or parenting plan. We also pursue enforcement actions when one parent fails to comply with the court-ordered Parenting Plan.
- Paternity Actions: We manage all legal steps required to formally establish parental rights and duties.
Secure Your Financial Future
As a Board Certified Specialist in Marital and Family Law, Mary Zogg provides the expertise and focus required to protect your assets effectively. Contact us today to discuss your complex financial and property concerns.
Schedule Your Confidential Consultation:
- Orlando Office: 407-872-0307
- Clermont Office: 352-357-4084