Child Custody and Child Custody Laws

Factors used to decide Primary Custody - Click each to learn more

	child's history - school and home
	parent's mental-physical-moral
	permanence of proposed home
	continuity of child's situation
	ability to provide
	love, affection and existing ties
	domestic violence
	parent that will allow contact
MOM		DAD

Child Custody Predictor Tool

Parenting Plan Template

Grandparent Visitation

Rotating Child Custody - Joint Custody

New Child Relocation Statute

Using Internet Webcams for Visitation - Virtual Visitation

Parenting Class Locations

Minimizing the Effect of Divorce on Children

International Abduction - Passport Suspension

Parent Coordination - a less destructive solution

Grandparent Rights to Child Custody and Visitation

In divorce court - women no longer have all the power

Child Custody Statutes - Florida Law on Child Custody

Who Gets Custody of the Children

How is Child Support Determined

Relocating to a New Area with your Child

Helping Children With The Trauma of a Divorce

Child Custody Attorney

Common questions and answers

Do Mothers always get Primary Custody? Mothers do not necessarily get primary custody in Florida. Custody, also referred to as the primary residential parent, is decided based on a list of factors - shown above. There are no gender preferences in the child custody laws.

Can my spouse disappear with my child? Unless you are divorced or currently filing for divorce each parent has full rights to the child - including relocation. You are not protected until the divorce is filed.

Can we jointly decide the amount of child support? Usually the answer is no. Florida has set guidelines. See our section on child support.

Is child support tax deductible? The short answer is No.

Preparing for a Child Custody Case

Child custody is a complex decision and the court must consider a list of factors before making a decision. Each spouse has a great opportunity to educate themselves about child custody factors, and applicable child custody laws. The spouse that successfully does this has the inside track on getting primary custody. More important, that spouse will be doing positive things for their children.

A good divorce attorney will work with you in maximizing your chances at keeping or getting primary custody of your children. A combination of properly structured visitation, encouragement of shared parenting, and minimization of conflict are all good for a child and will positively influence a court decision.

Read all of the factors in Florida child custody law until you thoroughly understand them. Then look at the way you live your life and make sure your life fits the standards - in a way that looks positive for you. There are many books and websites devoted to coaching parents that are going through a child custody case.

Child Custody Evaluation

Many cases in the Tampa Bay area go through a child custody investigator. This procedure is also called a custody evaluation, a home study, or a social study. The underlying purpose is the same - to make sure you are an appropriate custodian for your child. The child custody factors are a good place to start with, when going through a custody evaluation.

The Divorce Center provides experienced custody attorneys that can help with child custody in Tampa, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough, Florida. We have offices in Clearwater, Tampa, and New Port Richey, Florida. Call us toll free at 1-888-469-3486. Our managing partner, Attorney Howard Iken, is experienced in child custody law and assisting parents that desire primary custody.

If you are looking for divorce information you will find tons of free information on this website. Divorce Attorney Howard Iken personally created this website with a personal mission: to help people at this critical moment in their lives and to make the process of divorce easier, more understandable, & less intimidating. CONTACT US NOW or call 888-469-3486

    

Office Locations
27642 Cashford Circle Wesley Chapel, FL (813) 774-4529 Divorce Lawyers in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Tampa Palms, and New Tampa	7623 Little Road Suite 200B New Port Richey, FL 34654 (727) 844-7676 Divorce Lawyers in Brooksville, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Port Richey	7635 Ashley Park Court Suite 503K Orlando, FL 32835 407-982-5556 Divorce Lawyers in Orlando and Kissimmee, Metro West, and Dr. Phillips
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Divorce Attorneys - Kissimmee, Dade City, Zephyrhills, Brandon, Valrico, Wesley Chapel, Tampa Palms, Sarasota, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Riverview, Spring Hill, Brooksville, New Tampa, and the following Florida counties: Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando, Manatee, Osceola, and Orange.