The Difference Between Time-Sharing & Custody

Oct. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- October 18, 2012

As of October 1, 2008 Florida family law changed parental custody and implemented parental Time-Sharing vs. Custody. This change was put into effect with the intention of allowing children to share their time with both parents, thus allowing both a mother and father in the child’s life. This means the term child custody is obsolete in the Florida courts.

While Time-Sharing allows fro children to split their time between parents, a time-sharing schedule still must be agreed upon. Time-Sharing schedules are determined by what is seen as the child’s best interest. This means just because you share your child’s time and co-parent, it doesn’t mean all time-sharing is fifty-fifty.

Factors Affecting The Ruling Decision on Time-Sharing in Florida Include:

(a) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required.

(b) The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after the litigation, including the extent to which parental responsibilities will be delegated to third parties.

(c) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent.

(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.

(e) The geographic viability of the parenting plan, with special attention paid to the needs of school-age children and the amount of time to be spent traveling to effectuate the parenting plan. This factor does not create a presumption for or against relocation of either parent with a child.

(f) The moral fitness of the parents.

(g) The mental and physical health of the parents.

(h) The home, school, and community record of the child.

(i) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.

(j) The demonstrated knowledge, capacity, and disposition of each parent to be informed of the circumstances of the minor child, including, but not limited to, the child’s friends, teachers, medical care providers, daily activities, and favorite things.

(k) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to provide a consistent routine for the child, such as discipline, and daily schedules for homework, meals, and bedtime.

(l) The demonstrated capacity of each parent to communicate with and keep the other parent informed of issues and activities regarding the minor child, and the willingness of each parent to adopt a unified front on all major issues when dealing with the child.

(m) Evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, regardless of whether a prior or pending action relating to those issues has been brought. If the court accepts evidence of prior or pending actions regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, the court must specifically acknowledge in writing that such evidence was considered when evaluating the best interests of the child.

(n) Evidence that either parent has knowingly provided false information to the court regarding any prior or pending action regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect.

(o) The particular parenting tasks customarily performed by each parent and the division of parental responsibilities before the institution of litigation and during the pending litigation, including the extent to which parenting responsibilities were undertaken by third parties.

(p) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to participate and be involved in the child’s school and extracurricular activities.

(q) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to maintain an environment for the child which is free from substance abuse.

(r) The capacity and disposition of each parent to protect the child from the ongoing litigation as demonstrated by not discussing the litigation with the child, not sharing documents or electronic media related to the litigation with the child, and refraining from disparaging comments about the other parent to the child.

(s) The developmental stages and needs of the child and the demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to meet the child’s developmental needs.

Any other factor that is relevant to the determination of a specific parenting plan, including the time-sharing schedule.

The divorce process can seem confusing. Hopefully now you have a better understanding on the difference of Time-Sharing and custody. You now also know what factors affect how the Time-Sharing program is divided. For more information on this and other matters relating to family law please contact the Hunter Law Group at (813) 287-2887 or regina@hunterlawgroup.com. Please also visit us online at http://www.hunterlawgroup.com.

Regina Hunter

Hunter Law Group

Owner

5050 Lemon St.

Tampa, FL 33609

Phone:(813) 287-2887

Website: http://www.hunterlawgroup.com