The divorce process is never easy, but when children are involved it can be especially emotional and challenging. There are many issues that couples must address when divorcing, including child custody and visitation, and it is important for both parents to have a good lawyer in their corner advocating for their best interests. A Pensacola Florida Child Custody attorney can help parents understand the law and work out a fair and reasonable agreement for everyone.

Child custody is the legal right of parents to make major decisions about their child’s upbringing, including education, medical care and religion. Parents can agree to joint or shared custody or may choose a “parenting plan” which must be approved by the court. It is possible to have an informal parenting agreement but it is usually not enforceable in the court of law, so a written plan is generally best for all parties.

Florida law prefers that children have frequent and continuing contact with both parents and that the parents share parental responsibility. However, if a judge determines that this would not be in the best interest of the child, the courts can award sole parental responsibility or time-sharing to one parent.

In some cases, a judge will award supervised visits or no time-sharing at all to a parent who has a history of severe mental illness, addiction or domestic violence. It is also common for a judge to order a no-contact order in cases involving sexual abuse of the child.

It is difficult for parents to come up with an arrangement on their own, and a court must decide the best way to raise a child in each individual case. This is why it is so important to have a good Child Custody attorney in Pensacola Florida that you trust to represent your family’s interests.

The best way to find a child custody attorney is to get referrals from friends, family and co-workers who have used a local firm in the past. Also look for an attorney that is verified by Lead Counsel, meets stringent experience requirements and has a clean disciplinary record.

While a lawyer’s background and expertise are important, it is just as important to consider the personality of the person handling your case. A good child custody attorney will be compassionate and understanding of the issues you are facing, as well as knowledgeable about all of the different options that exist for parents in Florida. They will be willing to listen and answer your questions, and they will be able to guide you in the direction that is in your and your child’s best interests. It is always a good idea to hire the best lawyer who is familiar with the judges in your area as each judge has their own tendencies towards parenting and custody arrangements. This will give your case the best chance for success.