To understand the child custody laws for fathers rights in Florida, we must first explore the history of child custody laws in America. The history of custody in the United States is long and complicated. In the early days of Pilgrim law, when a man and a woman would decide to go their separate ways, custody was almost always awarded to the father. Alongside property and other rights, men alone held the right of ownership over their children. Children, at the time, were a valuable resource both as laborers and as heirs.
This changed over time as women began to gain more rights. Among the chief complaints by women seeking more representation under the law was the fact that they would lose custody over their children if their marriage ended. During the 19th century, worries about the effects of a motherless childhood on child development led to the Tender Years Doctrine. To protect the child’s interests, the courts decided to change course and to favor mothers in custody battles. Since then, many attempts have been made to address and eliminate gender bias.
Current scientific understanding is that both parents play an important role in a child’s development. Studies also show that the ideal living situation is one where both parents continue to work together to raise their child. If that option is not available, then the courts seek to find the most suitable parent to take custody. Despite changes in the law against gender-biased custody decisions, mothers still mostly win custody battles. But the percentage of fathers gaining custody of their children has been on a steady climb.
Fathers rights in Florida include protection laws for visitation, now known as time-sharing or parenting time. Before the court gets involved, parents are tasked with creating a parenting plan or schedule agreement for the division of time spent between each parents households. It is always wise to settle this agreement during mediation when possible as rolling the dice with a judge can always be a gamble. If parents cannot come to an agreement, the courts will decide based on the “best interest of the child” standards.
Child Custody, Parenting Time, and Visitation
The court makes decisions by taking into consideration the availability of each parent and their financial capacity to care for the child, among other factors. It’s important to remember that as a father, you have as much right to raise your child as the mother does. If you feel that your child’s mother is not likely to come to a swift or amicable agreement, it is critical that you seek professional legal help.
Negotiations regarding custody, time-sharing and the like are meant to be deliberated by the parents and their legal representatives. The courts shouldn’t intervene unless it’s clear a decision cannot be made without them, but custody laws for fathers rights in Florida welcome the opportunity to go to the courts, when and if necessary. When parents cannot agree on what is in the best interest of the child or children, the courts must get involved to make a final choice, based on many factors, including (but not limited to):
Best interest of the child(ren) standard
Successful co-parenting and communication
Child(ren) “of sufficient age and capacity” preference factors
History of substance abuse, violence and/or criminal behavior
Geographic viability of a given parenting plan
Physical, mental, and financial health/stability
Navigating Fathers Rights in Florida
The first listed custody factor (that is often ignored by individuals) according to the Florida family law statutes is 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.” Despite any potential differences or disagreements, the courts ultimately value two parents who put certain issues behind them to focus on what matters most: the child’s best interest. Even if you are willing to accept subpar modifications, your child’s mother may take certain measures to limit or even obstruct your ability to father your child.
This may happen by her lying about your availability or influencing your child’s willingness to spend time with you, sometimes even with malicious intent. When learning about your fathers rights in Florida, it is also key you are able to recognize when and how to defend your child(ren). If you suspect any parental alienation or intention to obstruct your parent-child relationship, you may pursue legal action to preserve custody laws for fathers rights in Florida.
ASSISTANCE FOR FATHERS RIGHTS IN FLORIDA
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