Child Custody Lawyer in Port St. Lucie, Florida

About Your Custodial Rights as a Parent

If you are entering into a divorce or if you are dealing with children born outside of wedlock, then you could be facing a bitter custody battle. The state of Florida takes the best interest of the child seriously, which could make child custody matters more contentious than you may think.

Though it is ideal to reach a mutually agreeable child custody plan between you and your former spouse, this is often much easier said than done. The process of divorce is notoriously heated, especially when emotions run high – but yours does not have to be. Our Port St. Lucie family law and divorce lawyers are committed to staying at your side every step of the way to make certain your family’s dynamic and integrity is upheld.

Assert your parental rights by working with Crary Buchanan.
Speak with us confidentially by calling (888) 899-8161.

We are here to help protect you. Call our divorce and family law attorneys at (888) 899-8161 today.

At Crary Buchanan, we are well-known for our ability to help parents reach an optimal conclusion in custody battles. No matter whether you are looking for sole or joint custody, our Port St. Lucie child custody lawyers will be at your side every step of the way.

We can address numerous issues regarding child-related matters during a divorce, such as:

Divorce can be one of the most overwhelming legal procedures, and emotions can only intensify when children are involved. It will be in your best interests to get the involvement of a knowledgeable Port St. Lucie lawyer on your side. If you do not believe it will be possible to gain custodial rights, then we can help ensure that you receive fair visitation rights that will support you relationship with your child.

How is child custody determined in Florida?

On the minds of almost every parent who is no longer with their child’s mother or father is the question, “How will custody of my child be decided?” Simply put, the answer to this question is that child custody will be established based on what the court believes to be in the best interests of the child.

This general statement, however, leaves a lot open to interpretation, which is why we have taken the time to more clearly define exactly what Florida courts will be evaluating when a decision pertaining to custodial rights is made.

When looking to award child custody, the courts will be addressing several different contributing factors, such as

The willingness of each parent to support the child-parent relationship
Their ability to meet the child’s needs
The mental, physical and emotional health of each parent
The financial stability of each parent
Evidence of past instances of alleged domestic violence

In all matters of child custody, both the mother and father will be thoroughly evaluated in order to determine who is bet fit to take on the responsibilities as primary caretaker of the child(ren). No longer are mothers automatically considered to be more suited for the job. Now, courts recognize both parents as fit and able until evidence to the contrary is uncovered. In fact, in many cases, the court will order that parental responsibility of the child be shared by both parents unless there is reason to believe that this would not be beneficial to the child’s development.

Looking at the Child’s Best Interests

The key element in every custody battle (or agreement) in Florida is what decision will be best for the child involved. In order to determine which parent is most fit to provide their child with a living situation that would be in his or her best interests, the courts will assess various factors.

The following conditions will be taken into consideration:

Emotional ties between the parent and child, including signs of love and affection
Which parent is more likely to allow the non-custodial parent fair and frequent contact with their child
The permanence of the existing family unit, i.e. home life
The financial and emotional capacity of each parent to provide their child with proper nutrition, clothing, education, and medical care
The moral righteousness of each parent
The length of time that the child has continuously lived in a stable home environment
The mental and physical health of each parent
Domestic violence, or evidence of domestic abuse, by one parent
The child’s preference (within reason)
The school, community, and home life of the area in which each parent resides

This list does not define in totality the considerations that will be made by the court before custody is established. It does, however, provide divorcing or unwed parents with an idea of what will be assessed in order to determine how custodial rights will be established moving forward. At Crary Buchanan, we are more than happy to meet with you to further discuss the terms under which your custodial rights will be determined, so don’t hesitate to contact our office today.

Experienced Custody Attorney Serving Port St. Lucie, FL

At Crary Buchanan, we know that children benefit from having consistent contact with both of their parents. We will therefore go above and beyond in our efforts to help ensure that a custodial arrangement is reached the suits not only you, but your entire family.

With more than 85 years of experience, our firm has a long history of success and trustworthy service. Not only is our firm home to attorneys who have earned the AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, but we are also home to several Board Certified lawyers in Civil Trial Law. We have the skill, knowledge, and expertise needed to protect you and your family moving forward.

For representation you can trust, please contact a Port St. Lucie child custody attorney and request your free case evaluation.