What If Me And My Ex Can’t Decide On A Child Time Sharing Schedule?
One of the most important parts of child custody in Florida is creating a time sharing schedule. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious disagreements between parents. Almost inevitably, one parent will end up spending a little more time with the kids than the other. Who takes the kids on the weekends? Who takes the kids during the week? Is a truly 50/50 schedule really doable? All of these questions and many others can cause impasses that can be difficult to overcome. So what happens next?
What Happens When You Can’t Agree on a Custody Plan
If you and your ex cannot agree on a custody plan, you will have no option but to go to court. During this process, a judge will listen to your situation and create a custody plan for you. They will do their best to act in the child’s best interests, but their ability to do this is limited. Why? Because often, judges only have about 15 minutes to review a case before they begin – while parents have a lifetime of experience to draw upon. Who do you think is in a better position to act in the child’s best interests? In most cases, it is the family, not the court.
Nevertheless, you will be forced to adhere to whatever custody plan the judge creates. Not only that, but you will be forced to go through a time-consuming trial process that can be incredibly stressful. At the end of the day, however, the custody dispute will be resolved – but perhaps not in the way that you hoped. In fact, both spouses can walk away feeling disappointed by a judge’s decision – and this may lead to lingering bitterness for many years.
Why It’s Always Best to Negotiate
In almost all cases, it’s best to put aside your differences (to the best of your abilities) and create a custody plan outside of court with your spouse. You may need to compromise, and it might not be perfect – but is usually better than leaving it up to the “chance” of a trial.
You also need to consider the fact that trials are very expensive, and your legal fees will skyrocket because you couldn’t work things out with your ex. In addition, a trial can be hard on the kids. In contrast, a negotiated settlement sends an encouraging message that the parents are willing to work together – potentially improving the children’s mental health outcomes.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Custody Attorney in Florida?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Orlando custody attorney, look no further than Steve Marsee, P.A. Over the years, we have helped parents resolve various custody disputes in Orlando. We know that the stakes can be high during these arguments, but there is almost always a solution that serves everyone’s best interests. We bring solid negotiation skills to the table, allowing you to resolve these disputes without going to court. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.
Sources:
womenslaw.org/laws/fl/custody/filing-custody-parental-responsibility
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.htmla
