Whether the separation from your children’s other parent was amicable or contentious, you need a clear parenting plan. You can ensure this agreement is complete, legally binding, and reflective of your children’s best interests with help from a Kissimmee family law lawyer.
With hundreds of years of combined experience, the lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns are equipped to handle even the most complex cases. Call now for more information about what our Kissimmee child custody attorneys can do for your family.
What Goes Into Drafting a Parenting Plan for Your Children?
Florida law requires separated/divorced parents to create a parenting plan, which is then submitted to Unified Family Court for official approval. A parenting plan is required even if the parents are in complete agreement on all aspects of their children’s living arrangements and welfare.
The Kissimmee child custody attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you craft a parenting plan that includes:
- Who has the authority to make decisions regarding the children’s healthcare, schooling, and extracurricular activities
- A time-sharing schedule that states when each parent will have physical custody of the children
- Under what circumstances either parent can travel internationally with the children
- When and how the parents will meet to communicate information, exchange the children, or request changes to the plan
In addition to working on the parenting plan, we can deal with any unresolved issues pertaining to child support, such as how much you or your former spouse should pay.
Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you draft a parenting plan from scratch, or we can review a preexisting draft that you are dissatisfied with or that the court has rejected. Time is of the essence, so call today to learn more.
To consult with an experienced child custody lawyer serving Kissimmee
(855) 780-9986
How to Get the Court to Approve Your Preferred Custody Arrangements
Under Florida’s custody laws, the court will make decisions based on what they believe to be “the best interests of the child.” In making this determination, the court considers:
- Whether one or both parents are capable of providing a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment
- Whether one or both parents have ongoing problems that could interfere with their parenting ability, such as unresolved mental health issues or criminal charges
- Whether the children are old enough to have a say in which parent they want to stay with
- Each parent’s schedule and location, which will help dictate the terms of any time-sharing agreements
- Whether one or both parents have accused the other of domestic abuse, and what evidence supports the accusations
Our custody lawyers help parents present a strong case demonstrating their physical and mental fitness. This can include statements from character witnesses who attest to your parenting skills or paperwork showing that you have attended classes or treatment to deal with any past issues, such as drug dependency.
Some parents worry about putting their children on the stand. This almost never happens. Children rarely, if ever, have to testify in court. Instead, we focus on other methods of proving that you are a fit parent.
How Long Will a Parenting Plan Remain Legally Binding?
Parenting plans may remain in effect until the children reach the age of majority. That does not mean they are set in stone, however. If you need to change the plan at any time—for example, if you are moving to another state, or if you get a new job with a different schedule—you will need to ask the court to do so.
We can work with you and your children’s other parent to make all necessary modifications.
If You Run Into Trouble, Our Kissimmee Child Custody Attorneys Can Act Fast
In some cases, parents may expect trouble or resistance—for example, if one parent wants to share custody and the other wants sole custody.
Other times, disagreements may arise unexpectedly as you are asked to make determinations that you had not even realized were necessary, such as how your time-sharing agreement will or will not change during your children’s school breaks.
Your Kissimmee attorney can help you deal with both major and minor disputes throughout your case. We may do this by:
- Guiding you through mediation, when a professional mediator works with both you and your children’s other parent to try to resolve the disagreement
- Looking for alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as having a parenting coordinator suggest possible solutions or compromises
- Presenting your case in court and working to convince a judge that your preferred outcome is in your children’s best interests
Our legal team understands how difficult and sensitive child custody matters are. You can depend on us to evaluate your situation thoroughly and help you figure out the right ways to protect your children, both now and in the future.
What About Disputes or Disagreements Regarding Child Support Payments?
Child custody and child support are separate but related issues. If you or your former spouse want to make changes to your child support agreement, or if your former spouse has stopped making payments without explanation, our lawyers can assist you.
At Bogin, Munns & Munns, we employ a large team of attorneys who all have different areas of interest and experience. That means we are equipped to handle all of your family law needs, from child custody and support disputes to divorce, alimony, injunctions, and prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
Kissimmee Child Custody Lawyer Near Me
(855) 780-9986
Our Kissimmee Child Custody Attorneys Are Ready to Protect Your Family
Going through a separation or divorce is hard on everyone, parents and children alike. You can make things easier by ensuring there is a clear, enforceable parenting plan in place.
Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today. We want to begin looking for legal solutions as soon as possible so you and your children can start to move forward.
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