remove job loss from impacting where my son lives with me in parenting plan/timeshare

[Dad-and-son]

Please help!

How can my temporary unemployment (I am a contactor looking for work) not be considered by the court (i.e. FL statue 61 and prevailing custody laws)
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I am new to forum and not divorced yet and very confused and scared.
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Here is my most important question.
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I want my son to live with me at the home he knows and I want the school and medical decisions to be my responsiblity.
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I have high pay when working but it's such a terrible economic time for projects so I am using savings or other means to live on, no depts no forclosures for now. I will find something and gain work soon.
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My wife is bipolar and has drinking problems and other issues but they are not "official" yet because we did not file yet but she wants out to live her own life. She refused marriage counciling.
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How to I win to prevent my son from being taken away most of the time?

[Attorney Howard Iken]

Normally, if you had the money, I would suggest a Custody Evaluation. This is a procedure done by a licensed professional. But the price tag is high.

If your jurisdiction considers appointing parenting coordinators - this may be a good strategy. There is a possibility the parenting issues will boil to the top and become more visible to the court.

On the money, the other side must prove you are "voluntarily" underemployed. But in practice - this depends on the judge. You should be prepared to show the judge the steps you have taken to find a job.

Attorney Howard Iken