Custody disputes are unlike anything else in family law. Your children's time with you, the daily routines, school pickups, holidays, these aren't abstractions. They're your life. Marc Cohen approaches every custody case with that understanding.
Child Custody and Timesharing in Florida
Florida family law uses the term "timesharing" rather than "custody" or "visitation." This reflects the state's emphasis on both parents maintaining meaningful relationships with their children after separation or divorce. At Marc M. Cohen, P.A., we help parents throughout Boca Raton and South Florida develop parenting arrangements that protect their children's well-being while preserving their parental rights.
How Florida Courts Determine Timesharing
Florida courts are required to consider the best interests of the child when establishing timesharing schedules. Under Florida Statute §61.13, the court evaluates more than 20 specific factors, including:
- The demonstrated capacity of each parent to facilitate a close relationship between the child and the other parent
- The anticipated division of parental responsibilities and whether those responsibilities have historically been handled by one parent
- The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity
- The moral fitness of each parent
- The mental and physical health of each parent
- The home, school, and community record of the child
- The reasonable preference of the child, if the court determines the child has sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference
- Evidence of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect
- Each parent's ability to provide a consistent routine for the child
Shared Parental Responsibility
Florida law begins with a presumption of shared parental responsibility, meaning both parents retain full parental rights and are required to confer on major decisions affecting the child's welfare. This includes decisions about education, healthcare, religious training, and extracurricular activities.
In rare cases involving evidence of domestic violence, abuse, neglect, or other factors that would be detrimental to the child, the court may award sole parental responsibility to one parent.
Developing a Parenting Plan
Every Florida timesharing case requires a parenting plan - a detailed document that outlines:
- The daily schedule describing time-sharing arrangements
- Designation of who will be responsible for healthcare, school, and extracurricular activities
- Methods and technologies to facilitate parent-child communication when the child is with the other parent
- Holiday, school break, and vacation scheduling
- Transportation arrangements
Marc M. Cohen works closely with clients to develop parenting plans that are realistic, child-focused, and legally sound. His experience as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator is particularly valuable in custody cases, where negotiated agreements typically produce better outcomes for children than court-imposed orders.
Mediation Advantage: As a certified mediator, Marc understands the dynamics of custody negotiations from both sides of the table - as an advocate for his clients and as a neutral facilitator. This dual perspective helps families in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and across Palm Beach County reach custody agreements that work in practice, not just on paper.
Relocation Cases
If a parent wishes to relocate more than 50 miles from their current residence, Florida Statute §61.13001 requires either the consent of the other parent or court approval. Relocation cases can be complex and emotionally charged. Marc M. Cohen has handled numerous relocation matters in Palm Beach County, both for parents seeking to relocate and those opposing relocation.
Contact a Boca Raton Child Custody Attorney
Your relationship with your children is worth fighting for. Contact Marc M. Cohen, P.A. at (561) 740-3301 for a free consultation about your custody or timesharing case. We serve clients throughout Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and all of South Florida.
Serving Communities Throughout South Florida
Marc M. Cohen, P.A. provides experienced legal representation in communities throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County:
- Child Custody Attorney in Boca Raton
- Child Custody Attorney in Boynton Beach
- Child Custody Attorney in Delray Beach
- Child Custody Attorney in Deerfield Beach
- Child Custody Attorney in Pompano Beach
- Child Custody Attorney in West Palm Beach
- Child Custody Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
- Child Custody Attorney in Coral Springs
- Child Custody Attorney in Parkland
- Child Custody Attorney in Wellington
- Child Custody Attorney in Lake Worth
- Child Custody Attorney in Jupiter
- Child Custody Attorney in Palm Beach Gardens
See also: Palm Beach County Family Law | Broward County Family Law | South Florida Family Law