When parents split up in Florida, whether they married or not, they typically have to share parental rights and responsibilities. Time-sharing is the legal term the courts use for splitting parenting time between two adults with children in Florida.
Often, the goal in a time-sharing arrangement is to give each parent as much time with the children as is possible. However, sometimes, the courts decide to limit how much time sharing they give one parent. There are even occasionally requirements for supervision during one parent’s time-sharing or visitation.
What personal factors might lead to this kind of unfavorable time-sharing arrangement?
A history of interpersonal violence
When there are records of one parent becoming physically violent toward the other or the children, that violence could influence how the courts divide parental responsibilities.
Although accusations of domestic violence do not always impact decisions about parental responsibilities, substantiated claims of violence in the home can absolutely impact how a judge believes they should split time between the parents.
An issue with alcohol or drugs
Chemical dependence is a common issue, and it is a known problem for many parents. They could fall unconscious, become violent or be unsafe to drive the children somewhere in an emergency.
In a Florida divorce, if one parent can show that the other has a problem with drinking every night, misusing pain medication or consuming prohibited drugs, that substance abuse may endanger the children in the eyes of the courts and lead to a less favorable time-sharing allocation.
Instability caused by the divorce
Sometimes, a parent who wants to stay actively involved with their kids is temporarily in a bad situation because of a divorce. They may live in temporary housing or have short-term struggles with depression.
When one parent doesn’t have a job or housing, their instability may affect their time-sharing rights. It’s important to realize that any of these situations are easily addressed by a parent wanting more time with their children. When you do seek counseling, go through rehabilitation or find a good place to live, you may be able to request a modification of the time-sharing arrangements so that you have more access to your kids.
Understanding the Florida approach to time-sharing after a divorce can make asserting your parental rights easier.
