Child Custody Attorneys in Gainesville, FL

30+ Years of Skilled Advocacy—Call (352) 375-5602

One of the most important and combative topics during a divorce is how custody of your children will be divided. You and your ex will need to determine whether you will share custody or if one parent will have sole custody. In many cases, parents have difficulty agreeing on a parenting plan—particularly in highly contentious divorces. Other individuals may use their children as leverage during the proceedings. Gainesville courts look at the best interest of the child when deciding on child custody issues.

Make sure the rights of you and your child are prioritized during the divorce. Contact our firm at (352) 375-5602 to talk to our Gainesville child custody lawyers!

A Judge’s Consideration During a Child Custody Hearing

When deciding on which parent receives sole custody of their children or if custody will be shared, the Florida judge will look at what is best for the child. Was one parent more present in the child’s life than the other? Who provided emotional and financial support?

• The Judge Looks at the Following to Determine Child Custody:
• Health & Safety – One of the first things a Florida divorce court will review is whether either parent has placed their child in danger at any time. Is one parent known to be violent, abusive, negligent, or more? Does the parent suffer alcohol addiction or drug abuse? These factors will influence who gets custody.
• Emotional & Developmental Needs – Children need nurturing and protection. The courts examine each parent’s ability to meet the emotional and developmental needs of their children. Were both parents actively involved in their child’s life? Can they procure guidelines and schedules that will help their kids? Will the parent offer a stable environment at home? These questions must be answered before custody is given.
• Moral Character – Children are impressionable. Florida law provides moral fitness as one of the factors in determining custody. A person’s moral character may come into questions if they suffer from drug addiction, if they engage in illegal behavior, if they constantly have relationships with casual partners, and other factors. The court will look at how a parent’s behavior will affect the child.

Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard. Call Our Family Law Firm Today!

At Swanson Law Center, our Gainesville divorce attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. We understand how important your children are to you. We also understand complicated custody matters, including those involving surrogacy and adoptions. That is why we fight on your behalf for a parenting plan you can agree on. When you hire us, you can rest assured that you will receive individualized attention and will have a whole team behind your case.

There’s a reason why we’ve received a 9 out of 10 rating on Avvo. Call (352) 375-5602 to schedule a consultation.