It is something you automatically did as married Florida parents with children. Now, provided the kids are still under the age of 18, it is something you must learn to do in a revised way post-divorce after you decide how to tell your kids about divorce. Divorce-linked time sharing has unquestionably gone through some adjustments in Florida in recent years. Family law experts and commentators broadly endorse the changes, viewing them as promoting more nuanced and balanced outcomes than previously provided.
If you are thinking about getting divorced as a parent, or you already ended your marriage, and you share parental responsibilities with your child’s other parent, it is critical to familiarize yourself with legal topics that are relevant to your circumstances. For example, you should understand your parental rights and obligations, whether you must pay child support or ensure that you cooperate with the terms outlined in your parenting plan for time sharing in Florida.
Whether you are a custodial or non-custodial parent, you could have questions about back child support or child support arrears and whether this affects time-sharing schedules.
Time Sharing in Florida Explanation
An established legal source on child custody, parenting plans, and time-sharing notes what Florida law dictated until 2008.
That was this: a judicial determination of one parent having custody (the primary residential parent) of a family’s children, with visitation rights spelled out for the noncustodial parent.
That scheme now seems decidedly dated and, indeed, it is. Today’s law provides for a more refined and comprehensive assessment of the best interests of all involved parties. The above source underscores that a quality parenting and time-sharing plan will do “the least possible damage to a co-parenting relationship so that you can raise [the children] in a healthy and happy environment.”
Back Child Support and Time Sharing in Florida
How is child support determined in Florida? The Florida Senate states that parents who are supposed to receive child support or alimony must continue to follow the terms of a time-sharing schedule even if the other party fails to make payments. If you fail to respect the terms of a time-sharing schedule, you could face serious consequences, regardless of whether you are owed back support, or your child’s other parent stays current.
In addition, you should recognize your rights if you have fallen behind on child support and your child’s other parent is violating the terms of a time-sharing schedule.
Time-Sharing Violations and Child Support Obligations
It is also essential to note that even if a custodial parent refuses to respect the parenting rights of the non-custodial parent, the non-custodial party must continue to pay child support. If you fail to pay the child support you owe, you could face serious repercussions, even if your child’s other parent refuses to let you see your child in accordance with a court order.
Tampa Child Custody Lawyers Can Help
A proven and empathetic legal team can help secure that crucially important goal. Key time-sharing issues that must be routinely addressed customarily revolve around matters regarding children’s education, socialization, health care, well-being, and more. A judge must ultimately approve a parenting plan. Attorneys at an experienced Florida family law firm can provide further information.
Contact one of our Tampa custody lawyers for more information.
