Jurisdiction:
Area of Law:
Child Custody in Florida
This is an overview of the child custody and support laws in Florida based on a hypo in class. This is a class presentation and not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please visit an attorney in your jurisdiction where you seek parental custody.
Free Legal Aid provides useful information about child custody. In addition to the video here, be sure you check out other resources.
How Do Florida Courts Determine Child Custody?
Child custody laws in Florida aim to provide for a single parent to have physical custody of the child (primary care taker), while awarding the second parent generous visitation rights. Family courts in Florida lean towards providing both parents with lots of time to spend with their kids, provided the parents are able to provide for a healthy environment.
In Florida, the determining factors as to who shall maintain custody of a child are laid out in 61.13(3) of the Florida Statutory Code. When it comes to child custody, the court shall consider the following factors as well as any others that it deems relevant. check to learn more.
Child Support and Visitation in Florida
In Florida, the court follows Florida Statutes 61.13 as a basic layout of the rules for determining the amount of support. Child support must continue either until the child reaches the age of majority or until a substantial change occurs with the circumstances of the parties.