Shared Parenting Guidelines in Orlando, Florida

The safety, financial security and well-being of the children involved in your Orlando, Orange County, divorce case are the Court’s primary concern. Parents should follow these guidelines:

It is the law, except in certain rare circumstances, that both parents will share parental responsibility for all minor children involved in this case. The law requires parents to share the children’s time and to participate together in making all important decisions concerning the children. The law expects parents to put aside their feelings and cooperate on all decisions involving the children. Therefore, parents must recognize the following:

Children have a right to a loving, open and continuing relationship with both parents. They have the right to express love, affection and respect for one parent in the presence of the other parent.

Neither parent may alienate a child’s affection for the other parent.

Parents must separate any bad feelings for one another from their duties as parents. Their duty is to share the children’s time and share in making parenting decisions. Children must be free to draw their own conclusions about each parent, without the prejudicial influences of the other parent.

Children have the right to never hear a parent, or a relative or friend of a parent, run down or degrade the other parent.

Children have the right to be free from guilt because the parents have decided to separate. They are entitled to honest answers to questions about changes taking place in family makeup.

Parents should never be so preoccupied with their own problems that they fail to meet the children’s needs. Separation of the parents usually has a worse impact on the children than on the parents, a fact both parents should never forget.

Each parent should openly, honestly, respectfully and regularly communicate with the other parent to avoid misunderstandings. They should never argue about the children in front of them.

Parents should discuss all differences regarding their separation and financial issues between them and parenting decisions out of the presence of the child. Both parents should always try to present a united front in handling any problems with the children.

Generally, children have the right to regular and continuing contact with both parents. Parents should arrange all visitations and exchanges together and not through the child. The child should never be the messenger between the parents.

Visitation plans should be kept and never cancelled unless absolutely necessary. If plans change, children should be given an explanation, preferably in advance and by the parent causing the cancellation.

Common courtesies (politeness, promptness, readiness, calling to notify if one is going to be late) should always be observed when picking up and dropping off children. These times can be very stressful on children, so it is imperative that parents always behave as responsible adults. Between visits, children should be encouraged to contact the absent parent by letter and phone, frequently and continuously.

Parent/child access and child support, while they may be emotionally connected, are separate and distinct under the law. Accordingly, a child’s right of access to his or her parent is not contingent upon the payment of child support.

A child should never be the delivery person for support payments.

Both parents are entitled, to participate in and attend all special activities in which their children are engaged, such as religious activities, school programs, sports events and other extra-curricular activities and programs.
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Attorney Michael Fender has been representing spouses for 17+ years when their marriages come to an end. Mr. Fender represents Husbands or Wives in the Orlando, Florida area including Maitland, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, Oviedo, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Deland, and Clermont. Please feel free to contact his office to schedule an appointment to discuss your rights and options with regard to custody, time sharing, parenting plans, equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, the marital home, alimony, child support, division of pensions, 401K’s, IRA’s and other retirement accounts. Contact his office at 407-629-1886 or visit Attorney Michael Fender’s main website.