Best Consumer Protection Lawyers in Hialeah, FL

CUSTODY IN FLORIDA Almost everyday I have a client who asks me about getting "custody" of their child or children. It is important to understand that the concept of "custody" as it once existed in Florida Law with respect to divorce and paternity, no longer exists. The Court will determine several matters related to your child or children. First, the Court will determine if you will have Shared Parental Responsibility of your child/children or Sole Parental Responsibility. Parental Responsibility has to do with decision making. For example, will decisions about the child's school, doctors, extra curricular activities, etc., be made by both parents in consultation with each other, or will one parent (sole) make those decisions. Secondly the Court will address the issue of Time Sharing (visitation). This is a decision about how much time and when the child will be with each parent. This determination plays into the amount of child support that will be paid, if any, by a parent. Child support is also addressed by the Court. The Court may go back 24 months from the date of the filing of your case, this is called the retroactive period. Child support is calculated using the gross income of each parent (minus certain allowable deductions), the number of overnights (not days) that the child shares time with each parent, and the costs of child care and insurance for the child. Call us to consult regarding your case and these issues so that we can help you.