Delray Beach Child Custody Lawyer 

Child custody matters are almost always among the most contentious and emotionally-charged aspects of any divorce proceeding. Our main concern, and that of Florida custody law, is that the child’s environment stays as stable and undisrupted as possible. We understand how challenging this time can be for everyone involved and having a child custody attorney in Delray Beach can help to ensure a smooth transition. At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A., our skill, compassion, and professionalism helps us to advocate effectively for your children.

Call our law office at (561) 600-5711 today to schedule your consultation with our team! Our Delray Beach child custody lawyers can help!

How Is Child Custody Determined in Florida?

The court’s primary consideration when awarding custody is always the best interests of the child in question. If both parents are able to come to an agreement on custody and visitation schedules, the judge is generally willing to accept that decision without trouble. However, when there is disagreement, the resulting battle can be fierce.

Because divorce represents such a massive disruption to a child’s life, the courts look for a way to keep the child in a stable home environment.

Florida custody laws take a wide variety of factors into account when determining child custody, including:

• Who displays the greatest parental fitness?
• What is the existing parent-child relationship like?
• Will a young child be left alone during the day?
• Will the parent be able to take care of the child?

What Factors Do Courts Use to Determine if a Parent is Unfit?

In a child custody case, the best interests of the child are always prioritized by the court. There are certain factors that are examined when determining custody, fitness being one of them. When one or both parents are ruled to be unfit, they are not physically or mentally capable of caring for the child(ren).

Here are several factors that a judge will analyze when determining fitness:

1. Is there a history of alcohol or substance abuse?
2. Does the parent have a mental illness that prevents him or her from carrying out their role as provider/guardian?
3. Has the parent been accused of domestic violence?
4. Has the parent shown any child abuse or neglect?
5. Has either parent shown the willingness to work together for the sake of the child(ren)?

There may be additional factors that the court examines, so please give us a call if you have further questions regarding this. Lastly, if the court feels they need additional information to determine the fitness of a parent, they may hire an evaluator to visit their home for further monitoring.

What is the Difference Between Legal and Physical Custody

When custody is determined, the courts will be deciding on both legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to decision-making powers in the child’s life, such as healthcare, education, religion, and other lifestyle matters. If both parents share joint legal custody, they each have a say in these decisions, whereas sole legal custody grants this power to one parent only. Physical custody, on the other hand, determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. Joint physical custody will mean that the child alternates between living with each parent, while sole physical custody granted to a parent means the child lives with them, often with a visitation schedule established for the non-custodial parent.

What Visitation Schedules Do Most Judges Use?

In Palm Beach County, and in many other counties across the state as well, there are “Model Timesharing Schedules” which were oft-used in years past and which are still utilized quite frequently today. Remember, though, these are not State-approved or Court-approved schedules. Rather, they are just schedules that are so commonly used that they’ve been distilled to written documents and widely circulated.

1.Both Parents Live Within 45 Miles of One Another.

This is the most commonly used schedule merely because it applies to the highest percentage of circumstances. The basics of this plan are that during the school year one parent spends every other weekend (consisting of Thursday after school through Monday morning) and one overnight each week (Thursday) with the children. During half of the summer, the schedule is reversed, thus giving that parent timesharing consisting of Monday morning through Thursday evening, and every other weekend from Friday evening to Monday morning. Holidays are generally rotated from year to year, or split in half.

2. Both Parents Live in the Same State, but More Than 45 Miles Apart.

In this schedule, one parent spends every other weekend with the children during the school year, but this time it’s only from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening unless there is a Monday holiday, in which case the time-sharing is extended a day. During half of the summer, the schedule is also reversed so that the parent who has only had weekend visits during the school year gets to spend Sunday evening to Friday evening every week plus every other weekend from Friday evening to Sunday evening. Again, holidays are often rotated from year to year, or split in half.

3. Both Parents Live in Separate States.

In this schedule one parent gets one weekend per month with the children during the school year, often matching up with one of the Monday holidays that occur during most months of the school year, thus providing a 3-day weekend. In the summer, though, the parent who had the weekend timesharing would have a block of half of the summer break with no interruptions. Holidays are also generally rotated or split in half except for spring break, which the out-of-state parent has in its entirety every year.

While the above three “Model Timesharing Schedules” fail to cover every possibility, they do include most circumstances.

Be careful about wholesale adopting one of the above schedules as your own, though. Your situation is not a cookie-cutter custody matter and your timesharing schedule shouldn’t be, either. If you’re looking to implement or modify a timesharing schedule, by all means, review one of the “Model Timesharing Schedules” and mine it for all it’s worth for your particular circumstances.

How Can I Regain Custody of My Children in Delray Beach?

Most parents would agree that nothing is more important than the safety, health, and well-being of their children. Unfortunately, when a family divorces, the children are caught between the sometimes selfish interests of one parent and the genuine care of the other. Courts can only do so much to survey a couple’s situation before making a decision to grant custody to one parent. For the other parent, this can be devastating. The good news is there are ways to revisit a judge’s decision and possibly overturn it. The first thing you need is proper planning.

Learn from Your Mistakes

Judges in family courts have a duty to always do what is in the best interests of the child or children. Unfortunately, they cannot see the true history of your family—only what they are shown through court proceedings. It is possible that your ex’s legal team simply built a better case. Maybe you appeared nervous and couldn’t tell your side of the story in a compelling way. Certain pieces of information can be damning as well, such as evidence of abuse or neglect. You need to take a look at what may have caused the judge to rule against you.

Do Not Violate Your Court Order

A big mistake some parents make is to act out of passion and break their court decree obligations in an effort to win their child or children back. It only works in movies and should never be considered as a reasonable approach to obtaining custody. By strictly adhering to your requirements, you can develop a track record of being a cooperative parent to your child. This works in your favor.

Consult with a Delray Beach Family Law Attorney

If you settled your divorce on your own or with less than ideal representation, it is possible you missed a crucial detail that could have helped you obtain a more favorable outcome. No matter what, an experienced family law attorney can help you better understand your situation and make the best use of the legal options you currently have. You should not appeal the custody decision until you have a well-planned case that presents a compelling argument for your need to be a more central parent in your child’s life.

Evidence that Could Help You

While no parent is perfect, there are some mistakes that could be detrimental to a child’s healthy development. Courts want children to succeed. If you have evidence that the child’s current living situation opposes that goal, it is important that you speak with a Delray Beach family law attorney and see how to build a case that shows it.

Consider building a case to appeal your custody decision if you noticed:

• Malnourishment in your child
• Signs of physical abuse
• Changes in behavior from your child, including nervousness, aggression, listlessness, or some other sign
• Your ex cannot reliably support the child
• The child’s environment is unsafe

If you have correspondence that demonstrates this, hang on to it. You may be able to show the judge that your child needs to be with you.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Child Custody Cases

Navigating a child custody case can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences for parents and children alike. It's crucial to recognize the psychological effects that custody disputes can have on all parties involved. At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A., we understand that the well-being of your children is your top priority, and we are here to support you through every step of the process.

Here are some aspects to consider regarding the emotional impact of custody battles:

• Children's Emotional Well-Being: Children may experience anxiety, confusion, and sadness during custody disputes. It's essential to prioritize their emotional health and provide them with a stable environment.
• Parental Stress: The stress of legal battles can take a toll on parents, affecting their decision-making and overall well-being. Engaging with a compassionate attorney can help alleviate some of this burden.
• Communication is Key: Maintaining open lines of communication with your co-parent can help reduce conflict and create a more supportive environment for your children.
• Professional Support: Consider seeking counseling or support groups for both yourself and your children to navigate the emotional complexities of custody arrangements.

At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A., we not only focus on the legal aspects of your case but also strive to provide the emotional support you need during this challenging time. Our dedicated team is here to listen and guide you through every step, ensuring that your family's best interests are at the forefront of our efforts.

Understanding the Importance of Mediation in Custody Disputes

In many child custody cases, mediation can be a valuable alternative to court proceedings. This process allows parents to discuss their concerns and preferences in a neutral environment, facilitated by a trained mediator. Mediation not only promotes cooperation between parents but can also lead to more personalized and amicable solutions that prioritize the best interests of the child.

Here are some key advantages of choosing mediation:

• Cost-Effective: Mediation typically incurs lower fees than prolonged court battles, saving you money in legal expenses.
• Faster Resolutions: Mediation can expedite the resolution process, allowing families to move forward more quickly.
• Greater Control: Parents have more say in the final agreement, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the outcome.
• Less Stressful: The collaborative nature of mediation can reduce the emotional strain often associated with custody disputes.
• Confidentiality: Unlike court proceedings, mediation sessions are private, helping to protect the family's privacy.

If you're facing a custody dispute, consider discussing the option of mediation with our experienced family law attorneys at Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A. We can guide you through the process and help you achieve a resolution that works for you and your children.

Keep Pushing

Family law cases can take years to negotiate. You may be involved in your fight for custody for a long time. You need to maintain an aggressive attitude and not back down from your interests. Oftentimes, this is all the other side wants. If you give up, they can argue that you don’t really care for the child and only wanted other benefits. Keep the pressure on, and keep doing what you can to fight for custody.

At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, our child custody attorneys in Delray Beach are prepared to help you navigate these complex legal matters. Call us at (561) 600-5711 to schedule your initial consultation!