Boca Raton, Florida: Child Custody Attorneys

Are you considering divorce and worried that you and your spouse will not be able to agree on who will get custody of the children?

Do you want to establish a thorough parenting plan with your ex, so that your disagreements do not interfere with your ability to handle shared or joint child custody?

Are you worried that your ex is not a fit parent and want to know whether you can restrict or prevent his or her access to your children?

Child custody - along with financial matters - is the most hotly contested and emotional aspect of getting a divorce. If you and your ex cannot immediately agree on shared child custody or sole custody with reasonable visitation rights for the other parents, it is critical that you consult an experienced child custody attorney before you begin the custody battle.

Carman & Smith · Boca Raton and Port St. Lucie
Child Custody Disputes · Child Relocation · Child Custody Modifications
(800) 435-7407 · E-mail

The law firm of Carman & Smith - with offices in Boca Raton and Port St. Lucie - focuses a large portion of its practice on family law Link to Family Law Practice Area Page and divorce Link to Florida Divorce Practice Area legal matters, including child custody disputes and child custody modifications. Our attorneys are experienced and compassionate, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal services without depleting our clients' financial resources.

Evening and weekend appointments may be available. To set up a meeting with one of our child custody lawyers, call toll-free to (800) 435-7407 or send us an e-mail.

"The Best Interests of the Child"

Like most states, Florida determines child custody based on a careful analysis of the best interests of the children. Shared custody arrangements - also called joint custody agreements - are much more common than they were 20 or 30 years ago, especially when the parents live nearby one another.

At the very beginning of the divorce process, the court will make a temporary child custody order. Although this temporary child custody order can be changed later during the divorce process, it is still very important that the temporary custody order reflect what you want for your children and yourself. It is more difficult to change a standing child custody order than it is to get it right the first time around.

Child Custody Modifications and Child Relocation

If the circumstances of the parents or the child change, it may be possible to get a modification of a shared or sole child custody order. The question of child custody modification can arise, for example, if the custodial parent's physical or mental health declines.

Most frequently, the question of child custody modification arises when the custodial parent wants to move out of Florida - or even to another part of Florida. Florida has a child relocation law that prevents the custodial parent from moving more than 50 miles away from the current address without first notifying the noncustodial parent and giving that parent time to file an objection.

If a custodial parent moves out of Florida without following the complex child relocation notification steps required by law, the consequences may be severe. The court may force the custodial parent to return to Florida with the child, may deprive the custodial parent of custody, may forbid the custodial parent from leaving Florida with the child, and may order the custodial parent to pay the noncustodial parent's attorneys' fees.

If you want to move out of Florida with your child, or if you fear that your child's other parent is planning to move without properly notifying you as required by law, contact our experienced child relocation attorneys today. We will explain exactly how our law firm can help.