Child custody is one of the most emotional aspects of a divorce. If you are considering or going through a divorce and have minor children with your soon-to-be ex, having a child custody lawyer on your side can help ensure that your child custody arrangement is in their best interests.
In Florida, there are two types of child custody: legal custody and physical custody. When you work with a child custody attorney in Hollywood, FL, you can expect them to help you understand the various types of child custody arrangements and how they may be decided.
Legal custody refers to the authority to make major decisions regarding the child’s life, such as education, religion, and medical care. Physical custody, on the other hand, determines which parent the child will live with most of the time. In some cases, parents may have joint legal and physical custody of their children.
There are many factors that a judge will consider when making a child custody determination, including:
- The wishes of the child’s parents
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- The child’s adjustment to their home, school, and community
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment for the child
- The mental and physical health of each parent
- Each parent’s history of alcohol or drug abuse
- Whether there has been any domestic violence in the home
While the court will always put the best interests of the child first, sometimes it takes the help of an experienced child custody lawyer to ensure that all of the important factors are considered. By working with a child custody attorney in Hollywood, FL, you can give yourself and your child the best chance at a positive outcome. They will advocate for you in court and help you understand the process so that you can make informed decisions about what is best for your child.