Orlando Child Custody Attorney — Helping You Navigate the Most Complex Family Law Issues

The end of any relationship is an emotional time. In a best-case scenario, the two individuals have nothing tying them to each other and can simply move on. However, things become far more complex when children are involved. Disagreements over child custody can greatly complicate an otherwise simple divorce or separation. In such a situation, it’s imperative to have a child custody attorney in Orlando, FL, on your side.

At the Law Office of Erin Morse, our family lawyers have seen the disastrous outcomes of many custody disputes. Parents without legal representation often don’t realize how complex these issues are. In many cases, they end up with a child custody arrangement that’s not beneficial for their child or themselves. The outcome of this case will play a significant role in your child’s life, so make sure you’re treating it with the seriousness it deserves.

Contact our Orlando child custody lawyers today for a confidential consultation.

Whenever a child custody dispute arises in Florida, there are often assumptions made regarding outcomes. In many situations, people assume the mother will become the primary custodial parent. Then again, some people believe that the parent who is most financially secure will be granted custody. However, neither of these beliefs is true in every situation. That’s because a family court will make custodial decisions based entirely on the best interest of the child.

In doing this, the courts will consider a variety of factors. These include:

• Each parent’s ability and willingness to cooperate with the other parent to serve the best interests of the child
• The geographical viability of each party’s home
• How long a child has been in a satisfactory and stable environment
• The physical and mental well-being of each parent
• The demonstrated ability of parents to provide consistent routines for the child
• Considerations of domestic violence or abuse
• Each parent’s demonstrated ability to communicate with their former partner regarding the child
• Criminal or substance abuse histories may be relevant

With these considerations, it’s clear that neither the ex-husband nor the ex-wife will receive preferential treatment. This is also true in situations where parents have never been married. In an ideal scenario, former partners will be able to amicably make decisions in the best interest of their children. A child custody lawyer in Orlando, FL, can assist in this process.

When such an agreement isn’t possible, though, legal representation goes from ideal to essential. Contact our law firm today to learn how we can assist.

What if Parents Can Reach a Child Custody Agreement?

Florida courts prefer when parents can reach an amicable solution regarding child custody. Shared custody is ideal, but any scenario where parents work together is seen as beneficial by courts. For such a situation, do you really need a child custody attorney in Orlando? In many cases, you would still benefit from legal representation. That’s because certain legal requirements must be met.

Imagine a scenario where you spend hours discussing important matters with your former partner. You iron out a parenting schedule, decide who has residential custody, and even agree on a visitation schedule for grandparents. When you get before a judge, however, they decide that the agreement is not in the best interest of the child. Suddenly, all your hard work means nothing.

An Orlando child custody attorney can help ensure you’re following all necessary legal requirements when reaching an agreement with your former partner. And once the agreement is reached, they can handle all the paperwork and filing requirements. Put simply, anyone can benefit from Orlando child custody attorneys when dealing with child custody issues.

What Are the Rights of a Custodial and Non-Custodial Parent?

There are many complexities to any child custody order — whether it was agreed upon by the parents or issued by the judge. Decisions will be made, which could include orders that grant full custody or joint custody. These decisions could focus on legal custody or physical custody. The rights of a custodial and non-custodial parent will depend entirely upon the court order.

For instance, a parent with full legal custody will be able to make important decisions about a child’s life. This includes where they go to school, their religious upbringing, healthcare decisions, and more. A parent with full physical custody will have the child under their care for most of the time. However, this doesn’t mean that the non-custodial parent will not have time with their child.

Put simply, the individual with sole custody gets to make the bulk of decisions for a child. However, a non-custodial parent’s rights can vary significantly. That’s because these rights are laid out in the court order. They might share partial custody, or they may only get visitation rights. They could share authority over certain decisions but not others. Put simply, the court order is everything.

This is why you should contact an Orlando child custody lawyer, today. We’ll fight to ensure you get a fair outcome.

What Happens in Cases of Domestic Violence?

If domestic violence has occurred in a relationship, it will certainly be a factor in child custody proceedings. It could affect who is chosen as the primary caregiver, whether a visitation agreement is possible, and many other important matters. Remember, the best interests of the child are paramount — so judges will make sure to consider claims of abuse.

Unfortunately, these cases can become incredibly complex. In many instances, victims never report intimate partner violence. If this is the case, you may need assistance establishing that such violence actually occurred. Unfortunately, it’s also the case that false claims of domestic violence are commonly made in child support and divorce cases. In this situation, you may need help disproving claims.

If you’ve found yourself in either of these situations, having an Orlando child custody lawyer on your side can prove invaluable.

Contact Our Child Custody Attorneys in Orlando, FL Today

A child custody case could easily be the most difficult thing you ever go through. You want nothing but the best for your children, and in a perfect world, this would also be true for your ex-spouse. Unfortunately, former spouses often have differing views on what’s best for a child. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, it’s imperative for you to seek the help of Orlando family law attorneys.

At the Law Office of Erin Morse, our child custody attorneys in Orlando, FL, are here to help you secure the best possible outcome. In some instances, this could mean reviewing your parenting plan and ensuring the agreement you’ve reached with your former partner is in line with the law. In other situations, it could mean aggressively representing you in a child custody proceeding to ensure a fair and beneficial outcome.

Contact us today at 407-743-6059 to schedule your confidential consultation. You’ll work with a Florida family law attorney who’s committed to advocating on your behalf.