Florida Court Forms
Florida Child Visitation Laws
Defining Time Sharing Law in Florida
This Florida child visitation law has done away with the term "visitation," as parents disliked the notion that their children were merely visiting them. This has led to greater involvement of fathers especially in the lives of children.
While the legal language of time sharing and child visitation schedules can seem daunting, do not worry. A quick legal education of this kind is not impossible.
Child Visitation Laws in Florida
Typically, child visitation rights, now known as time sharing rights, were granted to the non custodial parent following a divorce or separation.
"Non custodial" simply refers to the parent without the primary custody of a child.
Florida Child Visitation Law and "Best Interest"
In cases where a judge deemed it best for children to receive contact with both parents, the judge would have made a determination of a long term visitation schedule. Now both parents share an equal voice in this process.
Contrary to typical beliefs, child visitation rights are not the inherent rights of a father or mother. Because child visitation rights are considered a privilege, non custodial parent figures should take court proceeding trials very seriously.
A judge may, and can, decide that it is not in the best interests of a child to have visitation rights with one parent. Even when a parent is denied child visitation rights, that parent may still be required by Florida child visitation law to pay child support.
Time Sharing and Visitation
To put it simply, "time sharing" is is the visitation schedule between two parents. Depending on a divorced couple's situation, visitation schedules may change as life changes. Don't assume a visitation schedule must be set in stone.
It's a natural fact of life that our lives are busy and change, and so can time sharing.
However, courts in Florida now require parents to enter into a pre-existing plan to determine time sharing.
Regardless of which parent has more time with the children, both parents have an equal voice in creating the pre-existing plan.
If you are in a situation in which your former spouse is attempting to manipulate the pre-existing plan, do not stand for this treatment. You are entitled to an equal voice in creating this plan.
In the event that one of parents wins sole custody of a child, then unfortunately this legal concept of "time sharing" is burned to ashes. The sole parent has no requirement to have regard for the other parent's wishes to visit or share time with the child.
This is a beginning guide to child visitation and time sharing under the new Florida child visitation law. If you are still uneasy about the legal language of these concepts, contact an attorney and set up a consulting appointment. Typically, consulting appointments are free of charge.
Modifying Child Custody & Visitation in Florida
The Self Help Guides' Modifying Child Custody & Visitation in Florida helps you navigate the court process and procedures once you file your documents with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more.
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Related Florida Child Visitation Pages:
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Back to Florida Court Forms from Florida Child Visitation Laws
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Interactive Fillable Forms  Most Requested Forms Form 12.905(a) Supplemental Petition to Modify Parental Responsibility, Visitation or Parenting Plan/Time-Sharing Schedule and Other Relief. DEC 2010 ($2.95) Buy Now Form 12.905(b) Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support. DEC 2010 ($2.95) Buy Now Form 12.983(a) Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now Form 12.995(a) Parenting Plan. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now Form 12.995(b) Supervised/Safety-Focused Parenting Plan. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now |
Self Help Guides Modifying Child Custody, Visitation & Child Support This 70+ page guide has complete step by step instructions for completing the Florida court approved forms. The guide helps you navigate the court process and court procedures once you file with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more. Available as an e-book download. |
Child Visitation Resources Free Lawyer Referral Service
LegalMatch's website operates 24 hours a day, and you will never be charged to use the LegalMatch service. Legal Forms Publisher Florida State Courts Child Custody Legal Plan Florida Statutes 61.13 Florida Statutes 61.13001 Florida Statutes 61.21 Florida Statutes 751.01 |
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