When faced with the probability of a divorce, many Florida parents likely have serious concerns about how often they will be able to see their children. Kids benefit when they have regular contact with both parents after divorce, and your visitation schedule should reflect this. The ultimate goal of any visitation or custody agreement should be in the best interests of your kids.
Every biological parent has the right to regular access to his or her kid. It is beneficial to make the effort to be fully aware of your rights as a parent, and you may find that it is helpful to seek guidance as you traverse these sensitive issues. The decisions that you make during divorce will affect your family for years to come, but you do not have to face these important choices alone.
What should you know about visitation?
Visitation refers to the amount of time that you will be able to see your child. In the past, custody arrangements heavily favored the mother, with the dad getting some visitation on the weekends. That is not the normal standard anymore, and thankfully, courts acknowledge that it is better for kids to have regular access to both parents.
You may not fully understand how visitation works or how you can intentionally pursue a custody and visitation order that protects both the interests of your kids and your parental rights. It can be helpful to understand the following about visitation:
- Having visitation rights does not necessarily mean that you will have legal custody, which is the right to make important decisions on behalf of the child.
- Parents have the right to negotiate and work on a reasonable visitation agreement outside of court.
- If you have concerns about the safety of your child during his or her visitation with the other parent, you have the right to speak up.
You may have other concerns, such as those related to grandparent visitation, handoff procedures and changes to your visitation order. A complete explanation of your rights and options is necessary.
Your important role as a parent
As a parent, there is nothing more important during divorce than preserving your relationship with your children. If you have concerns about visitation or are unsure how you can pursue a fair and workable custody order, you can start by seeking a complete evaluation of your case. This step can help you understand more about how you can protect the interests of your kids and your role as a parent.