Category Archives: Fort Lauderdale Child Custody
International Family Law Conference Ponders Denying Child Custody to Smokers
In what has recently received attention around the country, on May 23rd, speakers at the North American Regional Conference of the International Society for Family Law in Washington, D.C. proposed several controversial ideas: namely, in order to combat second-hand smoking in children, deprive parents who smoke parental rights, and require emergency room physicians to… Read More »
“In Loco Parentis” Decision Leaves Many Surprised
A Pennsylvania appellate court made a decision recently that shocked many biological parents, especially those who assumed that their wishes for their child would always trump the wishes of someone who is technically unrelated to the child. Specifically, the court held that the mother’s former partner should be granted partial custody (one weekend per… Read More »
Governor Scott Vetoes Changes to Alimony and Child Custody in Florida
On April 15th, Governor Rick Scott vetoed the controversial family law proposal that would have forced judges to use a specific formula in calculating alimony (entirely based on number of years of marriage and combined incomes), and would have eliminated permanent alimony entirely. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the proposal was the last-minute… Read More »
When Rape Victims Are Burdened By Having To Share Child Custody
Many people do not realize that child custody laws often work against women who are the victims of rape in America. Specifically, in 15 states, there is still no law in place terminating a rapist’s parental rights, and in the 35 states where there is a law in place, most first require that a… Read More »
Florida Adoption Changes Sent To Governor
A measure that passed the Florida House on March 2, 2016, and the state Senate last month, has now headed to the governor to sign. The proposal–SB 590–would effectively allow judges to place the best interest of the child above their biological parents in some adoption cases. Specifically, Florida is in a state of… Read More »
Child Custody Measure Approved in Florida Senate
Currently there is tremendous division in the Florida legislature over SB 250, the child custody measure that just passed the state Senate. Some say that it would place women, in particular, at a disadvantage by setting the default to a 50-50 child custody plan and forcing them to hire attorneys, go back to court… Read More »
Some Say Florida’s Child Custody Bill Is Bad for Children
Another piece of legislation up for a vote this session calls for mandatory 50-50 child custody splits, requiring children to spend equal time with both parents. However, many say this could place both mothers and children at risk, and the critics include judges, who echo concerns that custody decisions are currently made based on… Read More »
How Can Florida’s Rising Child Mortality Numbers Be Better Addressed?
The statistics concerning the number of children who died in 2015 are dire; specifically, they increased to 473 (known) children last year alone—an increase from previous years. And close to one-fourth of them were victims of abuse, homicide, or neglect. Unfortunately, these deaths occurred in spite of legislation specifically designed to save children by… Read More »
What Is Considered Kidnapping Your Own Child In Florida?
Child custody and visitation rules and orders can be confusing, especially if one parent’s circumstances have changed and they’d like to adjust the visitation schedule established by the court. And yet, if one parent violates an existing custody order without going through the proper legal channels, they can be accused of kidnapping their own… Read More »
“Medical Child Abuse”and Child Custody Implications
As highlighted by the New York Times, there is a radical new charge being made against parents who, doctors claim, provide excessive medical treatment to their children, and it is, in some instances, affecting child custody decisions. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of a child’s parents disagreeing with the child’s doctor and, as… Read More »
