Changing Custody and Child Support

[Working Daddy]

I was divorced in Sep of 2010. Due to I worked a 7 day rotating shift, we agreed on my X having primary custody and I paid $750 a month child support as well as paid for our childrens insurance and the youngest braces.
I recently was awarded a job at work that is days only, monday thru friday.
I want to change the custody to 50/50 and have the child support modified accordingly.
What forms do I need to file for this and what kind of problems am I looking at if my X tries to fight it?
There was no violence or abuse of any kind, the only reason she has custody was because of my odd working hours.
My children are 16 and 10 and both want the shared custody so they can spend more time with me.
I spoke with an attorney all he saw was dollar signs, wanted $1,000 just to write the forms and then started in on how big a fight it was gonna be and that I should have $10,000 in reserve for his services.
I could use some common sense advice on this. I know my X is not going to want to let go of the extra funds she gets and that's going to be the biggest hurdle.

[Attorney Howard Iken]

It can be a big fight. The standard for changes is a lot higher than the standard for the original order. Yes, if you are using an attorney, prepare for considerable costs.

You may want to investigate more of an "assisted do-it-yourself" type of service if money is an issue and you want to pursue a change.

[Working Daddy]

What are the Florida statutes that govern child custody and child support?

[Attorney Howard Iken]

Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes contain the majority of the legislation concerning divorce.


Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

[ananda]

It can be a big fight. The standard for changes is a lot higher than the standard for the original order. Yes, if you are using an attorney, prepare for considerable costs.

You may want to investigate more of an "assisted do-it-yourself" type of service if money is an issue and you want to pursue a change.

Please elaborate on what "assisted do-it-yourself" means. That is exactly what I would like to do. I have essentially no money and need to file papers necessary to change custody status and child support. Attorneys fees are completely out of the question for me right now and Dad refuses to contribute since there will be a negative financial impact for him. Also daughter, age 14, is asking for full-time with me, can she even do that?

[Attorney Howard Iken]

That would be our 'paperwork-only" service for $675. A less recommended but available route would be to spend $200 on a paralegal service.