At the Law Offices of Christian D. Smed, P.A. located in Winter Park, Florida, we are dedicated to seeing the big picture in every divorce from the outset of the case. Doing so enables us to paint a clear picture of the law as applied to the facts for our clients. When our client's understand the law applying to their case, they are in a better position to accomplish their objectives. We focus on taking an often contentious and complicated process and simplifying it as we seek the best possible outcome for our clients.
Parental Responsibility, Child Support & Custody
We handle all areas of family law that have a bearing on children, and what is in their best interests:
Putting The Needs Of Children Above Everything Else
At Christian D. Smed, P.A., we take the best interests of the child very seriously. Child custody is a critical matter for all involved, and requires solemn deliberation. You can count on our attorneys to battle for the child as well as for you, to arrive at a result that allows all parties a fresh, honest start.
We invite your call. We will help you to understand your rights and responsibilities. We can explain the rules underlying Time-Sharing, Shared Parental Responsibility and Visitation, even complex interstate and international custody problems.
To discuss your child's needs following a breakup, call or contact the Orlando, Florida, child support and custody lawyer at Christian D. Smed, P.A., in Winter Park at 407.644.2978 for a free consultation.
Shared Parental Responsibility
Shared parental responsibility does not mean a 50-50 custody or visitation arrangement. Most children will live with one primary parent. But both parents take part in making major decisions that will impact the child's life. Things like what schools, camps or child care the child will attend; who will provide medical care, what religious tradition to embrace, what sports and other activities to get involved in, major medical and psychological decisions, and what trips to take together.
Shared custody is a thoughtful process that will evolve as time passes. At Christian D. Smed, P.A. in Winter Park, we work with you to get off on the right footing, creating a plan both sides can agree to, despite the hard feelings stirred up by divorce.
To discuss your time-sharing and shared parenting plans with a skilled and sympathetic lawyer, contact the Orlando area shared custody attorneys at Christian D. Smed, P.A., at 407.644.2978 for a free consultation.
Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Schedules
The establishment of a Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Schedule can be one of the most contentious issues between parents of minor children.
For every divorce with minor children and all paternity case, the parents or the Court is required to establish a Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Schedule. and the Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Plan must be approved by the Court. A Parenting Plan will address all issues related to the care and upbringing of all of the minor children born of the relationship.
The Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Plan should as many issues as possible pertaining to your child or children's safety, health, education and general welfare. The Parenting Plan will include items such as the parent whose residence will be used for school boundaries, guidelines for making joint decisions such as medical and extra-curricular activities, traveling with the child or children.
One of the most important portions of the Plan is the time-sharing schedule, which would include not regular ongoing time-sharing, but also the time-sharing for special days, holidays and vacations. The parenting plan should also include the number of overnight with each parent to allow the proper calculation of child support.
There is no "standard" time-sharing schedule. The Florida Courts are trending more towards "equal time-sharing" Nevertheless, a competent attorney should evaluate the particular circumstances of your case pertaining to your child(ren) so it can be determined whether in fact a rotating time-sharing schedule is in the best interests of your children. In many cases, equal time-sharing is difficult to accomplish at best and in some cases it is simply detrimental to the interests of the children.
At the Law Office of Christian D. Smed, P.A. in Winter Park, Florida, we work closely with parents to resolve the complicated parenting plan and time-sharing issues. We will paint a clear picture of your legal options as we seek the best possible outcome for your family's particular needs.