Orlando Child Custody Lawyers Provide Legal Representation For Parents

One of the greatest joys in life can be having children of your own. Parents enjoy spending quality time with their children and helping them learn and grow. However, if you go through a divorce, it may be necessary to obtain legal representation to protect your parental rights and help you maintain a solid parental bond with your child.

Often in divorce cases or when the parents are unmarried but decide to no longer live together, child custody issues arise that make it necessary to obtain legal help to guarantee your ability to interact with your child.

If you’re currently facing legal issues or need legal help with child custody, contact RTRLAW in Orlando by calling (407) 343-5152 or toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787) for a no-obligation case review.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Child Custody Lawyer?

Many clients experiencing child custody issues are unfamiliar with the benefits of having a child custody lawyer on their side. Unlike general practice lawyers who handle various cases, a child custody attorney has more comprehensive experience dealing with family law issues specific to parenting time, custody arrangements, and child support.

Sadly, child custody matters have a reputation for quickly becoming contentious as there may be other unresolved issues that boil over when parents try to decide on the child’s living arrangements. One of the most significant benefits of having an experienced child custody attorney is they can negotiate with opposing counsel on your behalf while keeping your interests and the interests of your child in mind but without being emotionally involved. Your RTRLAW family law attorney can advise you and help you make clear and rational decisions regarding child custody.

Another vital aspect of a custody battle is having an experienced family law attorney who understands the various aspects of a child custody case and how to resolve them. When a case goes before a judge, a well-qualified lawyer can act as your legal advocate with the court. A child custody attorney knows the various laws and how they may pertain to your particular case. Accordingly, your child custody lawyer can make sure that your voice is heard and that essential information that may have a bearing on your case is not omitted.

At the end of the day, the family court judge will make the final decision based on what they feel is in the child’s best interests. However, with the help of a proficient child custody lawyer, you can make sure that you have a strong case that will have a bearing on the judge’s ruling.

If you’re still trying to determine if hiring a child custody lawyer is the right choice for your circumstances, contact RTRLAW for more information and a no-obligation case review.

How Do I File For Child Custody in Florida?

If you need to file for child custody, there are several steps that you must take. Keep in mind the legal process involved in filing for custody can be complicated and challenging to navigate on your own. A well-informed child custody lawyer, such as the family law attorneys at RTRLAW, can assist you with the various steps involved in filing for custody. An experienced family law attorney can make the situation more manageable, as the first step involves obtaining the proper legal forms from the county clerk’s office. Your legal counsel also can ensure the legal paperwork is filled out correctly and returned to the clerk’s office expeditiously.

After the forms have been returned and you’ve paid the associated fees for filing them, the clerk will return the paperwork to you so that the next steps can be completed. After filing, the individual who initially sought custody is referred to as the petitioner. If you are the petitioner, you would be responsible for notifying the other parent, known as the respondent, by formally serving them the paperwork through a process server.

The court allows the respondent up to 20 days to reply or request an extension. The respondent has the option to contest your petition or for it to remain uncontested. However, if the other parent does not respond before the deadline or has not requested an extension, you can file a Motion for Default, and the case will proceed.

The final step in filing for custody involves going in front of a family court judge. If you and the other parent agree with all the petitions that have been filed, you can move on to what is known as the settlement process. In any case involving child custody, both parents will be required to attend a mandatory parenting class within 45 days.

A judge has the final say in who gains custody and what type of custody will be granted, and will always err on the side of caution, citing a child’s best interests.

How is the Best Interest of the Child Determined?

Often in child custody cases, you hear the term “the best interest of the child,” but you may wonder what that really means. Ultimately, a judge determines child custody arrangements, but by law, there are certain factors they are obligated to consider.

Some of the factors that family court judges take into consideration include:

• Each parent’s ability to meet the needs of the child.
• Each parent’s willingness to facilitate a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent.
• The moral fitness of each parent, in addition to their mental and physical health.
• Each parent’s ability to provide a stable and safe home environment along with a consistent routine.
• Each parent’s ability to provide for any special needs the children may require.
• Evidence of domestic violence, if applicable.
• The child’s preference is determined if they are of a sufficient age and have the ability to understand the outcome of their decision.
• The child’s home, school, and community record.
• Each parent’s ability to adhere to a time-sharing schedule.

The court will thoroughly evaluate the above-listed factors when determining child custody. RTRLAW’s child custody lawyers in Orlando can provide you with more information about what you can do to strengthen your case to obtain custody rights. The first step is to contact RTRLAW for a no-obligation case review, where you can ask questions and get the information you need about retaining a qualified family law attorney.

Why Should I Choose RTRLAW to Represent Me in a Child Custody Case?

Having to deal with child custody issues can be extremely stressful and almost unbearable for parents. Parents want what is best for their children but may worry how a custody decision could affect their future relationship with their kids. A highly trained child custody lawyer can assist you through the entire legal process and help ease your mind about the outcome by building a solid case as to why you should be granted certain custody rights.

RTRLAW’s family law attorneys in Orlando, Fla., are dedicated to helping families solve their child custody legal issues by providing them with skilled legal representation. Our lawyers have vast experience in handling child custody issues and can provide you with the legal advice you need to obtain an outcome that is favorable to your needs and in the best interests of your child.

Our experienced child custody lawyers also can help you file the necessary paperwork with the court to begin the custody process and act as your legal advocate when dealing with opposing counsel. RTRLAW’s lawyers are fearless when it comes to standing up for the rights of our clients.

If you’re struggling with family law issues or are not sure how to begin the process to file for child custody, contact RTRLAW in Orlando by calling (407) 343-5152 or toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (833-447-3787) for your no-obligation case review today.