What You Need to Know About Child Custody and Time-Sharing Schedules in Brandon
If you’re a single parent or going through the process of getting a divorce in Hillsborough County, one of your primary concerns is making sure your child is provided for properly. In Florida, child time-sharing arrangements are generally encouraged and allow both parents to remain active and involved in the child’s life. Our Brandon child time-sharing lawyers explain how they are created and how to handle any disputes that arise.
Determining a Child Time-Sharing Schedule in Brandon
When couples with children make the difficult decision to break up or otherwise not live together, child time-sharing schedules in Brandon determine their rights and obligations in regard to their child.
Under the Florida Statutes, child time-sharing arrangements are generally encouraged and considered to be in the child’s best interest. Parents are generally encouraged to negotiate these arrangements, using a Florida parenting plan as a guide. This allows for more personalized, custom child time-sharing plans rather than simply allowing the judge to decide. Factors to consider when making a child time-sharing schedule in Brandon include:
- The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home during the week;
- Rights regarding weekends and extended stays;
- Arrangements for holidays, school breaks, birthdays, and other special occasions;
- Pick up and drop off arrangements;
- Legal rights in making important decisions on the child’s behalf;
- How potential disputes between the parents will be handled.
Negotiating a Brandon Time-Sharing Schedule
Negotiating a time-sharing schedule through the Hillsborough County Family Court is never easy, and it is common for disputes to arise. However, be aware that refusing to participate or otherwise being uncooperative can have serious ramifications. In the event the judge has to step in, your inability to negotiate and work with the other party could jeopardize your own rights in regard to your child.
To protect yourself and the best interests of your child, follow these tips for negotiating a Brandon time-sharing schedule and handling disputes:
- Put your personal feelings aside and realize it generally benefits children to have close relationships with both parents;
- Understand you will need to cooperate in creating and implementing a time-sharing schedule in Brandon;
- Do not discuss your plan with the other party without your lawyer present;
- If they refuse to follow the time-sharing schedule or other disputes arise, you may be able to take them back to court.
Failing to adhere to a court-approved time-sharing schedule in Brandon could result in heavy fines and court costs, as well as loss of parental rights.
Get the Trusted Legal Guidance You Need From Our Brandon Time-Sharing Lawyers
When negotiating something as important as child time-sharing arrangements, it is important to get legal guidance from someone you can trust throughout the process. At Carmen and Bevington: Brandon Legal, we have extensive experience helping parents in our community.
We provide the professional legal representation you need in creating a time-sharing schedule and resolving any disputes that arise. Call or contact our Brandon time-sharing lawyers online today to request a consultation.