How to Make Your Divorce Cost Less

There are several stigmas surrounding divorce. One of the most common is the price you pay. Although it is true that terminating a marriage is not cheap, there are effective ways to make your divorce cost less. Continue reading for some helpful tips on reducing the cost of your divorce.

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Divorce and Finances

As if divorce is not stressful enough, there is also the concern of one’s finances. During a divorce, there are fixed costs that can intimidate you, such as legal fees, lawyer retainers, and division of property. However, with the right approach, you can ensure you stay in control of your money. The most important step you can take toward protecting your assets is to hire a reputable Orlando divorce attorney and listen to their advice. They have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you preserve your financial well-being during and following your divorce.

Helpful Tips for Cutting Divorce Expenses

☑ Be Nice

When the relationship between divorcing couples remains amicable, the cost tend to stay in bounds. However, when there is a lot of contention between couples, the process could drag out, and one spouse might fight for more support or child custody limitations, all of which can make divorce cost much more. Try to be respectful and non-confrontational to avoid any strain.  

☑ Communicate Openly

Try to keep an open line of communication with your spouse. Although you want to consult with your lawyer prior to bringing up any important issues, speak regularly with them on smaller and less-contentious issues to save money on lawyer fees.

☑ Choose Your Battles Wisely

In addition to remaining amicable and communicating well with one another, it helps to also choose your battles wisely. Put thought into what really matters in the outcome of your divorce and what doesn’t. Apply this forethought toward matters like property and assets division to avoid additional pecuniary losses and legal fees. Keep in mind, disagreements lead to more legal fees.

Hire the Right Orlando Divorce Lawyer

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a seasoned Orlando divorce lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney to Get a Divorce?

The responsibilities involved in the process of divorce are stressful enough on their own. But when you couple in the consideration of finances, you might be tempted to forgo certain expenses, such as hiring a lawyer. But beware that doing so can put you at a higher risk of not obtaining the outcome you expect, even if you and your spouse are amicable. You see, there are many good reasons why people hire divorce lawyers. Perhaps learning these reasons can help you better understand the importance of retaining legal representation for a divorce, and ultimately make the best decision for yourself and your future.

Continue reading to review some common reasons why divorcing couples hire lawyers, and how to get in touch with a reputable law firm in Florida.

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Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058

Balance Out the Advantage

You do not want to be at an unfair advantage during a divorce. Basically, if your spouse is going to hire a lawyer, you should too. This will “level the playing field” so to speak, and ensure that all divorce proceedings are equally comprehended on both sides, and fair overall.

Reduce Emotional Stress

Divorce is stressful no matter who you are and how agreeable your spouse. A lawyer on your side will remain emotionally objective while helping you keep your emotions in check during the process. This will prevent stress from clouding your judgement.

Stay in Control of Responsibilities

Even though you are divorcing, the world around you does not stop, nor does your obligation to fulfil your daily and weekly responsibilities. Whether you have work duties, parental duties, or social commitments to tend to, the stress of divorce will have less of an effect on how you manage these responsibilities if you have a lawyer representing your best interests.

Protect Your Rights

Perhaps the most impactful reason why people hire divorce lawyers is to protect their rights. You do not understand the law like a practiced lawyer does, so you could not possibly be aware of all the rights you are entitled to. A divorce lawyer can ensure you obtain the fullest and fairest divorce settlement possible.

Always Ask a Trusted Orlando Divorce Lawyer

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a licensed divorce attorney in Orlando, Florida. You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed. If you choose an in-office visit, our family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. We look forward to helping you resolve your family legal matters.  

Florida Divorce FAQS That Will Help You Make a Choice

Whether you are on the brink of divorce, or have already made the decision to move forward, these frequently asked questions and answers about dissolution of marriage in Florida will help you make educated decisions during the divorcing process, and even after it’s finalized. Continue below to review them all.

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Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058

Is Legal Separation Allowed in Florida?

Florida does not recognize legal separation of married spouses. So, state law will not support any legally-binding arrangement made between spouses, even if they ultimately do divorce down the line. Any type of separation agreement between spouses will not be taken into account when it comes time for the court to rule on child support, alimony, property division, and custody. Although legal separation is not supported in Florida, there are other legal recourses and alternatives.

How Do I Get a Divorce in Florida?

In the state of Florida, there are three requirements for getting a divorce. First, you must show proof that the marriage took place. Second, you must prove that you or your spouse were a Florida resident for at least six months before filing for divorce; and third, you must prove that the marriage is in fact, irrevocably and permanently broken.

What is Mediation? Is it the Same as Divorce?

Mediation is a common method of negotiating all aspects of a divorce, including finances, alimony, property division, child support, timesharing, and more. Generally, mediation involves the group effort of both spouses and their respective divorce lawyers, as well as an appointed, neutral third party called a mediator. During mediation, the mediator will sit down with each spouse and their lawyer to discuss, negotiate, and resolve all matters related to the divorce.

Does a Divorce Take a Long Time?

The amount of time it takes to complete a divorce, from the moment it is filed to the moment it is officially in effect, depends on countless factors unique to each case. Mostly, it depends on whether or not the divorce is contested or uncontested. Other major contributing factors on divorce timelines include how quickly both parties can come to an agreement on all matters related to the divorce, the traffic of family courts, the skill of your divorce lawyer, and more.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

According to forbes.com, the average cost of divorce in the United States is around $15,000, most of which is allocated to legal fees. Keep in mind that this is just the average. After all, the American Psychological Association confirms that virtually 50 percent of marriages in our country result in divorce. Some couples pay as little as $1,000, while others have paid millions. Attorney fees play a large part in how much you pay for a divorce, but they are not all the same. Divorce lawyers can charge anywhere from $75 an hour to $500 an hour. On average, you can expect a divorce lawyer to charge around $250 an hour, but this varies among law firms, and from state to state.

Who Has to Pay Alimony After a Divorce?

Who pays the alimony depends on certain factors, which can vary from state to state. Most often, the spouse who earned the most money through the duration of the marriage is the person ordered to pay alimony. However, other factors, such as the spouses’ primary roles during the marriage, the number of dependents shared, and spousal collaboration, can also affect alimony orders. There are three common types of alimony that can be awarded by a court order in the process or conclusion of a divorce: temporary alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and permanent alimony.

Who Gets Custody of the Children After a Divorce?

Who gets child custody, and the limits set forth for visitation, all depends on the presiding judge, the state laws governing divorce and child custody, and several other influential factors. One of the most influential factors used by the family court system to assign custody of children after a divorce is the determination of the primary caretaker. A primary care-taker is the parent who customarily tends to certain basic needs of the children, such as bathing and grooming, meal prepping and cooking, driving, health care decision-making, basic skills teaching, educating and helping with homework, and planning and participating in recreational activities.

Is Divorce the Right Choice For My Family?

If you are married and reconsidering your relationship, but are not ready to file for divorce, you may still have other legal options. Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a seasoned Orlando marriage lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law
Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law 407-887-7058

Top 4 Social Media Tips for Divorcing Couples

If you don’t think your social media can negatively impact your divorce, even after you have finalized everything with your ex, think again. Social media plays a large role in a person’s social life, and accordingly, their personal one too. If you are currently considering or preparing for a divorce, it is vital to monitor your social media use in order to protect yourself and your assets.

Continue reading to learn the top four social media tips for couples who are divorcing.

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Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058

Social Media Mistakes During Divorce

Divorce can be a stressful experience, which in turn can cause many people to behave in ways they normally wouldn’t due to the heightened emotions like anger and hurt. A common portal for people to unburden themselves with overwhelming feelings subsequent of splitting up is social media. Whether you are just checking in or posting thoughts, your social media usage can have detrimental effects on your divorce, even after your divorce has been finalized. This is especially true for contentious divorces.

Here is how you can ensure you are not incriminating yourself in any way on social media during your divorce:

Ⅰ. Do Not “Check-In”

The “check-in” features on certain apps and social media platforms, such as Facebook, are fun to use when you are not concerned about the public knowing your whereabouts and activities. However, during a divorce, you might not want your ex knowing you went on vacation or stopped in a certain night club. You wouldn’t want such information manipulated and used against you in court on child custody matters.

Ⅱ. Do Not Post Pictures of Partying

Another mistake that can be manipulated and used against you in court are pictures of you partying, drinking alcohol, and being hungover. In the case of having a contentious or distrustful ex, they might use your Instagram photos or Snapchat snaps to portray an image of you as an irresponsible parent, disrespectful spouse, or someone who has more disposable income than disclosed.

Ⅲ. Do Not Post Your Promotion or New Job

If you don’t want to go back to court to amend spousal support and child support orders, you may want to keep any job promotions, salary raises, and new high pay role positions under the radar. Otherwise, your ex could find out and decide to appeal your current alimony and child support orders, resulting in you paying more, and possibly for longer.

Ⅳ. Do Not Post Rants

Although it can be tempting to take to your social media and post videos, live streams, and written posts spilling your frustrations about your ex and the divorce process. But if you do, you can risk putting yourself in a bad position when it comes time for a judge to rule on important matters relevant to your divorce. It can also anger your spouse, and encourage them to be more contentious or vindictive.

A Florida Divorce Lawyer Who Can Help

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice about divorce from a seasoned Orlando marriage lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Orlando Family Lawyer 407-887-7058
Shane T. Herbert Law 407-887-7058

Who Gets Custody After a Divorce?

It is common for parents to have concerns about their children’s well-being and overall quality of life following a divorce. For this reason, child custody is often a focus prior to and during the divorce process. Both mothers and fathers want to know who gets custody, and how often the other party will get to see their children. Whether you are preparing to divorce, or have already started the process, you are wise to review your state laws regarding the dissolution of marriages.

Continue reading to learn how courts decide who gets custody after a divorce, and how visitation and time-sharing plans tend to work.

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Orlando Child Custody Attorney 407-887-7058

Who gets child custody, and the limits set forth for visitation, all depends on the presiding judge, the state laws governing divorce and child custody, and several other influential factors. However, there are some general trends in the court system that can help you better understand what to expect from your own divorce.

Primary Care-Takers

One of the most influential factors used by the family court system to assign custody of children after a divorce is the determination of the primary caretaker. A primary care-taker is the parent who customarily tends to certain basic needs of the children, such as bathing and grooming, meal prepping and cooking, driving, health care decision-making, basic skills teaching, educating and helping with homework, and planning and participating in recreational activities.

Best Interests’ of the Children

Regardless of who the primary caretaker is determined to be, courts will ultimately use the children’s’ best interests to rule on a child custody case. This means ending on a decision that will protect and promote a child’s joy, mental health, emotional development, and security. To do so, the family court system considers certain factors when evaluating and defining a child’s best interest, such as:

✤ Drug or Alcohol Abuse at Home
✤ Relationship Dynamic with Other Members of Household
✤ Mental and Physical Health of Parents
✤ Special Needs of a Child
✤ Stable Home Environment
✤ Adjustment to a New Community
✤ Child’s Own Desires

Child Custody in Non-Divorce Cases

There are many child custody cases that do not involve divorce. In the case that two unmarried parents go to court to determine child custody after parting ways, the same considerations and factors mentioned above will apply. However, most states generally give full custody to the mother in cases involving unmarried couples. Another possible example of a child custody dispute that does not involve married couples are cases of grandparent visitation rights.

Get Trusted Child Custody and Divorce Advice in Florida

Call the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 for help with your divorce and child custody matters in Florida. You can trust our seasoned legal team to meet your family law needs, as our case results speak for themselves. Office visits are not required for initial consultations, as we are happy to provide them over the phone or even video conference, if needed. Contact our Orlando Family Law office at 407-887-7058 to learn what you need to know about resolving or addressing your family legal matters, swiftly and securely.

Orlando Family Lawyer 407-887-7058
Shane T. Herbert Law 407-887-7058

How to Determine if Collaborative Divorce Right For You

Not all divorces involve animosity and contention. Many couples have a long-history of love and respect for one another, and want nothing more than a fair and equal divorce. For such couples, there is a new, emerging trend in the field of alternative dispute resolution that supports this method of divorce. It is known as collaborative divorce, and it could very well be the solution your family is looking for.

Continue reading to learn some facts and legal principals surrounding collaborative divorce, including how to determine if it is right for you.

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Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Orlando Florida 407-887-7058

Collaborative Divorce Basics

In conventional divorce cases, spouses often view each other as opponents or enemies, which can set the tone for a challenging and contentious divorce process. In contrast, collaborative divorce is a non-adversarial, out-of-court approach to legally ending a marriage. It places the focus on finding solutions for family legal issues, rather than accusations and provocation, which helps achieve a mutual settlement without litigating. Overall, it tends to make the divorce process easier and produce a more positive outcome.

The Collaborative Law Process

In the collaborative divorce process, the divorcing couple works as a “collaborative team” alongside a single collaborative divorce lawyer who represents them both. In a safe and constructive environment, everyone works together to devise a divorce plan that is equally satisfying and fair to each spouse.

Prior to getting started, a written agreement is drawn up and signed by both parties in the presence of their lawyer to mark their promise to use trust and fairness when negotiating a resolution, and to disclose all information and documents relevant to their case. Once all divorce arrangements are agreed upon, both parties enter into a comprehensive and legally-binding written agreement that authenticates the details of the divorce and settlement.

Many people confuse divorce mediation with collaborative divorce since they are both forms of alternative dispute resolution. Although they are similar negotiation approaches, they are quite different. See our blog, “The Difference Between Mediation and Collaborative Divorce” to learn more about alternatives to dispute resolutions.

Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

There are various benefits to collaborative divorce, which is why it is becoming more and more popular in the legal field. Not only does collaborative divorce support and promote an ultimate resolution, it usually renders one quickly. Furthermore, divorcing collaboratively can save on legal fees since you share one collaborative divorce lawyer. Best of all, collaborating your divorce will spare you from stress and bitterness, and also protect your children from being exposed to the dramas of divorce.

When Making the Decision…

Although collaborative divorce has several benefits, it is not for everyone. It is important to discuss your divorce questions with a seasoned divorce attorney who can give you the information and counsel you need to make an informed decision. Keep in mind that, once the collaborative divorce process begins, if one spouse decides to pursue litigation rather than continue with collaboration, the shared collaborative lawyer will have to resign, and both spouses will have to retain new and separate representation.

Call an Orlando Collaborative Divorce Lawyer

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to speak with a seasoned collaborative divorce lawyer in Orlando, Florida. From traditional and collaborative divorce litigation, to alimony, child support, child custody, and everything in between, we can navigate all aspects of your family legal matters from start to finish. For your convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations, as we are happy to provide them over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law
Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law 407-887-7058

Top Legal Benefits of Marriage

Getting married is a monumental change in life, and therefore, a big decision to make. As a result, many people find themselves going back and forth on whether or not it’s time to get married, or at all, ever. This common indecisiveness and concern tends to stem from all the negative stereotypes of married life and the horror stories of divorce. But what many people seem to overlook are all the positive benefits of marriage, such as companionship and unconditional support. Even in a legal sense, there are advantages to being married.

In fact, continue reading to learn the top legal benefits of marriage.

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Orlando Marriage Attorney 407-887-7058

Before signing a marriage certificate, it is important to know exactly how it will change your legal circumstances. Fortunately, most changes that take place on a legal platform are positive, like tax benefits, financial benefits, and more.

Take a close look at some of the top advantages you can expect from getting married, below.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

There are various financial advantages of being married. In terms of social security, you can receive your spouse’s benefits if you do not have any. You can also receive other benefits through your spouse, such as pension, Medicare, disability, veterans, and military. Individual Retirement Account (IRA) benefits are another factor to consider when weighing the advantages of marriage.

TAX BENEFITS

As a married couple, you are given certain tax benefits. For instance, you can receive unlimited marital tax deduction, which is the largest tax benefit of marriage. This means you can transfer assets to your spouse at any time, in any amount, tax-free. Another possible tax benefit is the option of filing taxes, jointly. This, however, this is not good for all couples. Two high earning couples would pay more in taxes.

HEALTH BENEFITS

There are several types of health insurance and medical advantages that come along with marriage. For instance, you can be added to your spouse’s health insurance policy, and receive their benefits. Additionally, family leave and bereavement benefits can be made available to spouses through their employer.

ADDITIONAL LEGAL BENEFITS:

☑ Paternity Benefits
☑ Legal Decision-Making Benefits
☑ Inheritance Benefits
☑ Medical Proxy Rights

Get Trusted Marital Legal Advice in Florida

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to speak with a seasoned family lawyer about marriage legal assistance in Orlando, Florida. Our office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within The Offices of Veranda Park, with ample free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations, as we are happy to provide them over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Orlando Family Lawyer 407-887-7058
Shane T. Herbert Law 407-887-7058

What You Want to Know About Florida Alimony Law

The discussion of alimony during divorcement is a challenging conservation to have for any one, regardless of the amiability of both parties. Whether you are simply considering a divorce, or ready to move forward now, there are some important facts you will want to know and understand about Florida alimony law. Continue below to review the basics of spousal support, spousal maintenance, and more.

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Orlando Divorce Attorney 407-887-7058

Florida Alimony Facts

Following a divorce, the law provides certain relief and security for the lower-earning spouse. This is referred to as alimony. Not only are there different types of alimony that can be awarded in divorce court, various factors influence the amount of money and time a spouse is ordered to pay the other. Such factors include the length of the marriage, the income and employment history of each spouse, the age of each spouse, structured settlements of property and assets, the presiding divorce judge, the skill of the representing divorce lawyer, and much more. However, additional factors, such as the primary roles during the marriage, the number of dependents shared, child support agreements, and spousal collaboration, can also affect alimony orders.

Types of Alimony

There are three common types of alimony that can be awarded in Florida divorce court, Temporary, Rehabilitative, and Permanent (also known as lump sum alimony) spousal support. See our blog, “3 Types of Alimony Awarded in Divorce Court” to learn pertinent details regarding each type of spousal support in Florida.

Temporary Alimony – Temporary alimony is a type of spousal support arrangement that ordered to be paid for a set, limited amount of time.

Rehabilitative Alimony – This is a type of spousal maintenance that allows the lower-earning spouse to go back to school or participate in vocational training in order to achieve financial independence.

Permanent Alimony – Permanent spousal support arrangements are rare, but when granted, remain in effect until the recipient of the alimony remarries, or until either spouse perishes.

Although spousal support is common in our state, the unfortunate truth is, it is still an unpredictable area of family law. There is no guarantee that a spouse will be granted alimony, nor is there a set spousal support schedule that divorce courts adhere to when granting such judgements. Unlike child support rulings, alimony is not calculated according to a precise, statutorily-defined formula. For this reason, it is vital that you retain the services of an experienced and trusted Florida divorce lawyer who can represent your best interests during and after your divorce.

A Trusted and Leading Florida Divorce Lawyer

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice and assistance for all legal matters related to divorce law in Florida, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Our seasoned family law firm is based out of Orlando, and conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. However, office visits are not required for initial consultations, so you can inquire about your legal needs in the comfort of your own home. We can provide initial information over the phone or via video conference, such as Skype.

Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law
Shane T. Herbert, Attorney at Law 407-887-7058

The Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce

Ending a marriage is a big decision, which is why it is in a couple’s best interest to understand all of their options before parting ways permanently. Aside from divorcing, a couple might choose to legally separate instead. Although both implemented under legal procedure, they are different types of marital arrangements.

Continue reading to learn the difference between legal separation and divorce, including Florida laws regarding both.

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Marriage Lawyer Orlando, Florida 407-887-7058

Divorce

Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court. So when married couples divorce, they are legally terminating their marriage. After a divorce is finalized, each person is entirely disassociated with the other under law, including property, insurance, finances, and liability. Although most are familiar with the general facts of divorce, the laws surrounding it vary greatly among states.

Here in the state of Florida, there are three requirements to get a divorce. A spouse must show proof that the marriage took place. Then they must prove that they (or their spouse) were a Florida resident for at least six months prior to filing. And last, they must prove that the marriage is irreversibly and forever damaged. There are different types of divorce options as well, such as collaborative divorce and divorce mediation. See our blog, “The Difference Between Mediation and Collaborative Divorce” to learn more.

Legal Separation

Couples who want an alternative to divorce might opt for legal separation. Under the arrangement of legal separation, a couple remains married under law, but lives separately from one another. The details of legal separation vary from couple to couple, but all prohibit either spouse from remarrying or entering into a domestic partnership unless they terminate the marriage legally via divorce or annulment.

This progressive approach to splitting up is less severing than divorce, and ultimately, reversible. Unlike the commitment of divorce, legal separation allows a couple to split up without permanently changing any of their legal marital terms. This time can allow couples to decide whether or not divorce is ultimately the best decision for them. It can also provide the conditions necessary for couples to work through their problems, either individually or through marital counseling.

Keep in mind that legal separation is not permitted in all states. Here in Florida, the law DOES NOT recognize any legal documentation or marital separation. This means that if you and your spouse choose to separate, Florida law will not support any legally-binding arrangement made between the two of you if you decide to divorce down the line.

Not Sure if Divorce is Right For You?

If you are married and reconsidering your relationship, but are not ready to file for divorce, you may still have other legal options. Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice from a seasoned Orlando marriage lawyer. Our Florida family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking. And for your added convenience, office visits are not required for initial consultations! You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed.

Orlando Family Lawyer 407-887-7058
Shane T. Herbert Law 407-887-7058

Are Child Custody, Visitation and Timesharing the Same?

Terminating a marriage that involves mutual children can bring about a lot of anxiety and uncertainty related to litigation when it comes time to decide where the children will live and under what circumstances they will see the other parent. Fortunately, a divorce decree is a helpful tool that sets in place certain child custody limitations and allowances for both custodial parents, all in the best interests’ of the children.

To help relieve such stress and confusion regarding your child custody divorce decree, it is helpful to understand the current and accepted terminology surrounding child custody cases. Many couples use the terms child custody, visitation, and timesharing, interchangeably, but these are not all current nor universally-accepted terms in the area of law.

Continue reading to learn the difference among child custody, visitation, and timesharing, as well as, where you can request personalized guidance for your family legal matters.

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Orlando Child Custody Attorney 407-887-7058

Child Custody Legalese

Any type of legalese, or law-related jargon, can be confusing to the average person. So it is no surprise the parents find themselves in a panic when trying to understand the difference between visitation and timesharing. Are they the same thing? Is child custody different from visitation? These are all relative and pertinent questions you should be asking yourself when facing a divorce that involves sharing (or not sharing) child custody. That is because it is important to learn more about Florida child custody before entering into any agreement so that you can be better prepared for your hearing’s outcome.

Florida Uses the Term, Timesharing

Here in Florida, the accepted legal term is timesharing. The terms custody and visitation are no longer used by the courts. Instead, the Florida Statutes require that Courts implement a Parenting and Timesharing Plan for divorcing or separating married couples. There are two types of child custody that the state of Florida recognizes: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to the actual residence of the child, whereas legal custody refers to who can make major decisions regarding a child’s upbringing. A Parenting and Timesharing Plan is intended to govern how a child’s time will be distributed between two custodial parents, as well as, how important decisions regarding a child’s life will be made.

Variable Custodial Arrangements

Although there are two primary categories of custody, there are several different kinds of custodial arrangements that can be made depending on family’s particular circumstances. For instance, both parents can share legal custody while one maintains primary physical custody and the other has timesharing rights, or one parent can have sole legal and physical custody. It is strongly encouraged to seek professional legal advice for your particular child custody legal matters in order to obtain the best possible outcome for you and your children.

Florida Child Custody Advice You Can Trust

Contact the Law Office of Shane T. Herbert at 407-887-7058 to get trusted legal advice regarding Florida child custody and related family matters. Family attorney, Shane T. Herbert, specializes in divorce, including collaborative divorce and child custody time-sharing. You can choose to have your first appointment over the phone or even video conference, if needed. If you choose an in-office visit, our Orlando family law office is conveniently located in the Metro West area, within the Offices of Veranda Park, which offers free parking.

Orlando Family Lawyer 407-887-7058
Shane T. Herbert Law 407-887-7058