Tampa Timesharing Attorney

There is nothing more important to parents than their children. If you divorce or otherwise end the relationship with your child’s other parent, it is critical that you protect their well-being and best interests. These are also the only factors a court will consider when making time sharing decisions. Our Tampa timesharing attorney can help you prepare a parenting plan, negotiate with the other side, and make the entire process as easy as possible for you.

The Law on Time Sharing in Tampa

The law in Tampa, and throughout Florida, states that any parenting and time sharing decisions should be made depending on what is in the best interests of the children. The opinions and preferences of parents are not considered. The law also states that it is in the best interests of the children to spend time with both parents and that contact should be frequent and continuing after a divorce or other separation.

Both parents should also share the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing. The only exception to this is when shared time with each parent, or the sharing of parental responsibility, is not in the best interests of the child.

Contrary to what many people think, women are not always awarded primary custody, or time-sharing and parental responsibility. This was once largely true due to the fact that historically, it was women who stayed home to care for the children while their partner worked and earned an income for the household. Today, this is clearly no longer true and so, fathers have just as much right to time sharing as mothers. In fact, Florida law clearly and strictly prohibits the consideration of gender when time sharing decisions are made.

Factors Considered in Time Sharing Disputes

Parents can always agree to the terms of a parenting plan and draft one themselves. When this is not possible, the court will establish a plan according to what is in the child’s best interests. When establishing a plan, the court will consider many factors, including but not limited to:

• The ability of each parent to put the needs of the child ahead of their own,
• The amount of time the child has lived in a stable environment and the desire to maintain that continuity,
• The distance between the child’s school and the parents’ homes and the amount of travel required,
• The moral fitness, and the mental and physical health of each parent,
• The ability of each parent to provide the child with a consistent routine,
• The child’s preference, when they are of a certain age and maturity,
• The level of involvement of each parent in the life of the child,
• The ability and willingness of each parent to communicate effectively with the other parent, and
• Any evidence of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, child neglect, or child abandonment.

Contact Our Time Sharing Attorney in Tampa for Help with Your Plan Today

All parents with minor children, and who are separating or divorcing, are required to create a parenting plan. At Florida Law Advisers, P.A., our Tampa timesharing attorney can negotiate with the other side to create a plan that is customized to your family situation while ensuring that your rights are protected. Call us today at 1 (800) 990-7763 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.