St. Lucie County Divorce & Custody Attorneys Focused on Parenting Matters
A Florida Family Law Firm Putting Your Family First
When St. Lucie County courts make decisions involving child custody and parenting time, the guiding standard is always the best interests of the child. Having an experienced St. Lucie County child custody attorney on your side is essential to protecting your parental rights and your relationship with your child.
Understanding Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing in Florida
Florida’s Child Custody Laws Explained
In 2009, the Florida Legislature reformed the state’s child custody laws by eliminating the outdated concepts of primary custody, secondary custody, and visitation. These terms were replaced with parental responsibility and time-sharing, creating a more balanced approach to parenting after separation or divorce.
This change addressed long-standing concerns that parents who shared significant parenting time—often close to 50% were still denied equal legal authority over important decisions affecting their child, while continuing to pay child support and cover day-to-day expenses. Florida’s time-sharing model was designed to reduce conflict and promote fairness by recognizing the important role both parents play in a child’s life.
Establishing Shared Parental Responsibility & Time-Sharing
How Florida Courts Decide Custody and Parenting Time
To ensure custody decisions focus on children—not parental disputes—Florida courts evaluate a variety of factors when determining shared parental responsibility and time-sharing schedules, including:
- Each parent’s ability to foster a close, loving, and ongoing parent-child relationship
- The child’s developmental needs and each parent’s capacity to meet those needs
- The mental, physical, and moral fitness of each parent
- Stability of each parent’s home environment and continuity of the child’s routine
- Geographic feasibility of the proposed time-sharing schedule
- Any history of domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, or substance abuse
- Any other factors demonstrating a parent’s ability to act in the child’s best interests
A knowledgeable St. Lucie County custody lawyer can help present these factors clearly and persuasively to the court.
Dedicated Advocacy for Parents in St. Lucie County Custody Cases
McBride Legal Group, P.A. vigorously advocates for the rights of parents in child custody and parenting matters. Family law attorney Luisa McBride provides dedicated representation paired with compassionate counsel, recognizing the emotional and legal challenges families face during custody disputes.
Choosing the right child custody attorney in St. Lucie County can make a critical difference in securing a parenting plan that protects your rights and supports a strong, meaningful, and lasting relationship with your child.
Contact a St. Lucie County Child Custody Attorney Today
Do you have questions about child custody, parental responsibility, or time-sharing inSt. Lucie County, Florida? The experienced family law attorneys at McBride Legal Group, P.A. are here to help you understand your rights and make informed decisions for your family’s future.
