Factors That Affect the Best Interest of Your Children

Parenting Plan and “The Best Interests of the Children”

If you are preparing for divorce and children are involved, no doubt you have heard a lot about the importance of a Parenting Plan. The Parenting Plan states how you and the other parent will share in parental responsibilities and time-sharing, and is of critical importance to the well-being of the children. The court has no partiality toward either a mother or a father, and will make its decision by approving a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child.

Determining what will be best for the children isn’t always easy. Many factors will be considered by the court before a plan is accepted. It is important for you to take time to review your own personal position and understand all the aspects that will influence the formulation of the best Parenting Plan for your family.

Consider Your Current Situation and How it Will be Viewed by the Courts

• How informed and aware are you and your spouse regarding your children’s life and daily routine?

• How did you and your spouse divide the parental responsibilities in the time before divorce proceedings began, and how long has the child lived in a secure, acceptable environment?

• How old are the children, what are their current developmental stages, do they have any special needs, and are they mature enough to express reasonable preferences?

• What is the current school and community record of the child?

The Court Will Take a Close Look at Your Parenting Plan

• How do you plan to allocate the parental responsibilities between you and your spouse, and can you do this while still providing a consistent routine for the child?

• What is the distance between your home and your spouse’s home, and what is the amount of travel time for the children?

• What is your plan and your spouse’s plan on how to be involved in the child’s school and extracurricular activities, and is that feasible considering each of your work schedules?

The Court Will Take a Close Look at Each of You As Parents

• What is the mental, physical, and moral fitness of each of you and how well do you seem to be able to communicate with each other?

• Does each have the ability to accurately determine and appropriately act upon the needs of the child?

• Will both you and your spouse encourage a close parent-child relationship, honor the time-sharing schedule and parental responsibilities, and also be reasonable and flexible about making adjustments if necessary?

• Are you and your spouse willing to be unified on major issues with the child?

• Do you and your spouse understand the importance of not speaking negatively about the other parent and making sure that the children are not exposed to adult conversations that involve the divorce?

Lastly, These Could Be the Deal Breakers, as the Court Will See a Possible Danger to the Children

• Will each parent maintain an environment free from substance abuse?

• Is there any evidence of child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment, domestic violence, or sexual violence?

• Is there any evidence that either you or your spouse has knowingly provided false information to the court?

All That Said, Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me Put Together My Child’s Parenting Plan?

Every divorce and parenting situation is unique. We believe in the importance of the father’s role in his child’s life. Meet with an attorney from In Law We Trust Divorce and Family Lawyers, the Family Law Attorneys for Men. We will talk about the factors that affect the best interest of your children and discuss your rights and responsibilities so that you can play the most appropriate and loving role in their lives. Our expertise in the rights of fathers will ensure that your interests and the interests of your children are protected in the best possible way.

Call The Family Law Experts Men Trust (813) 415-3510

In Law We Trust Divorce and Family Lawyers is a premier firm of divorce lawyers representing men in family law proceedings. We are uniquely positioned to assist our clients with the challenges men face in Florida’s court system. Call us today and get the proper representation men need and deserve.