Category Archives: Child Custody Series

If you and your child’s other parent cannot agree about where your child should live, how much time they should spend with each parent or how they should be raised, we are here to help you and your family sort out these challenging child custody issues as peacefully as possible.

Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law, Gary Dolgin can present your case and advocate for your rights to raise your child in a healthy, thriving environment.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Child Custody Attorney in Tampa Florida, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The twentieth and last factor to consider is:
(t) “Any other factor that is relevant to the determination of a specific parenting plan, including the time-sharing schedule.”

This factor essentially allows the court to use its discretion in considering any other aspect, element, dynamic, or matter pertaining to the child’s life that either affects or may affect the child’s welfare or interests, that was not included in the other nineteen factors.

If, for example, the Judge sees reason to apply any other additional factor that is relevant to the well-being of the child when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing in a particular case, the Judge may do so.

Although the first nineteen factors (a) through (s) listed in the Florida Statutes regarding child custody cover the most common factors for considering the best interests of the child, every child and every family situation is unique, and there may be additional, specific factors that must be considered.

Determining parental responsibility and time-sharing, keeping the best interests of the child as the top priority, is very important in helping to ensure healthy development and upbringing of a child after divorce.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Best Child Custody Lawyer in Tampa Florida, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The nineteenth factor to consider is:
(s) “The developmental stages and needs of the child and the demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to meet the child’s developmental needs.”

This factor takes into consideration what developmental stage the child is at, what special needs the child has at this stage and which parent can best meet the child’s needs.

These are considerations a court will evaluate when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Every child is unique, and therefore the court must assess the individual circumstances of each child to determine their precise needs and what custodial arrangement will work best for that particular child.

For example, with very young children, the mother may be breastfeeding, and therefore, the child may need to remain in the primary physical custody of the mother during this stage.

In some cases, the child may have special needs, and therefore the court must evaluate which parent is better able to meet that child’s needs.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Best Child Custody Lawyer in Tampa FL, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The eighteenth factor to consider is:
(r) “The capacity and disposition of each parent to protect the child from the ongoing litigation as demonstrated by not discussing the litigation with the child, not sharing documents or electronic media related to the litigation with the child, and refraining from disparaging comments about the other parent to the child.”

In order to protect the child’s emotional well-being, both parents must make an effort to shelter the child from any antagonism and ill feeling as much as possible during the litigation process.

The court will consider the parents’ conduct with regards to this as a factor when deciding on parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Parents must refrain from speaking badly about the other parent in the presence of the child, and any discussions regarding parental disputes and custody issues should remain as limited as possible.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Child Custody Lawyer Tampa FL, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The seventeenth factor to consider is:
(q) “The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to maintain an environment for the child which is free from substance abuse.”

This factor takes into consideration the ability of each parent to provide the child with a substance-free environment that is safe for the child.

For example, if there is a documented history of substance abuse on the part of one parent, this parent may be considered less favorably when it comes to parental responsibility and time-sharing, especially if the court believes the substance abuse may continue to be an issue in the future.

Drinking alcohol or illegal drug use by a parent, especially in the presence of the child, is detrimental to the healthy development and well-being of the child, and the court considers this factor very seriously when it comes to parental-responsibility and time-sharing.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Child Custody Lawyer Tampa, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The sixteenth factor to consider is:
(p) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to participate and be involved in the child’s school and extracurricular activities.

This factor takes into consideration the frequency and regularity of each parent’s involvement in the child’s life with regards to school and extracurricular activities.

If for example, one of the parents is much more involved with the child’s school by meeting with the child’s teachers, participating in school events and volunteering, this parent would be considered more favorably when it comes to parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Likewise if one parent is more involved in helping with homework, taking the child to extracurricular activities as well as attending the child’s events relating to their extracurricular activities, the court would consider this favorably as well.

Parental involvement is beneficial to the healthy development of a child, and therefore the courts look at this factor when considering the best interests of the child.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Best Child Custody Lawyer In Tampa Florida, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The fifteenth factor to consider is:
(o) “The particular parenting tasks customarily performed by each parent and the division of parental responsibilities before the institution of litigation and during the pending litigation, including the extent to which parenting responsibilities were undertaken by third parties.”

This factor takes into consideration the extent to which each parent has been and is currently actively involved in the child’s everyday life.

It also takes into consideration the extent to which third parties are involved in the child’s care.

If for example, one of the parents has been more involved in the child’s day-to-day activities than the other before and during litigation, the court will consider this favorably towards that parent when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing.

However, if one parent has not been active in many parental responsibilities in the past, but has proven that they are capable of taking on a larger role after separation, this may be considered by the court as well.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Custody Lawyer Tampa, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The fourteenth factor to consider is:
( n ) “Evidence that either parent has knowingly provided false information to the court regarding any prior or pending action regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect.”

This factor takes into consideration whether there is evidence of either parent being dishonest or trying to hide any prior or pending action regarding:

– domestic violence
– sexual violence
– child abuse
– child abandonment
– child neglect

by either of the parents when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Since the safety and well-being of the child is of utmost importance, the court takes matters of violence or neglect very seriously.

If the court has evidence that either parent is or has been dishonest about, or hiding the truth regarding such matters, that parent’s credibility would be undermined, which would be unfavorable for that parent when determining time-sharing and parental responsibility.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Best Tampa Child Custody Lawyer, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The thirteenth factor to consider is:
(m) “Evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, regardless of whether a prior or pending action relating to those issues has been brought. If the court accepts evidence of prior or pending actions regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect, the court must specifically acknowledge in writing that such evidence was considered when evaluating the best interests of the child.

This factor takes into consideration whether there is evidence of:

– domestic violence
– child abuse
– child abandonment
– child neglect

by either of the parents when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Since the best interests of the child are the top consideration when determining parental responsibility and time-sharing, any evidence of a parent putting a child’s health and well-being at risk or in danger is taken very seriously.

A court may decide against shared parental responsibility and time-sharing if there is credible evidence that a parent committed domestic violence, child abuse, child abandonment or child neglect.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Tampa Child Custody Lawyer, Gary Dolgin

CHILD CUSTODY SERIES: 20 Factors A Judge Must Consider When Determining Issues of Parental Responsibility and Time-Sharing

The twelfth factor to consider is:
(l) “The demonstrated capacity of each parent to communicate with and keep the other parent informed of issues and activities regarding the minor child, and the willingness of each parent to adopt a unified front on all major issues when dealing with the child.”

This factor takes into consideration whether the parents are able to communicate well with one another when it comes to issues involving their child.

For example, it is good if the parents agree to communicate regularly via phone, email or text to keep each other informed about the child’s schooling, daily activities, health and general well-being.

It is also good if parents can show that they can compromise, and when necessary ‘agree to disagree,’ when one parent’s resolution to a problem is more suitable for the child.

It is in the best interest of the child, and therefore favored by the court, for parents to communicate effectively and amicably with regards to their child.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody for over 30 years in the Tampa area.

If you are having any child custody issues such as time-sharing problems, parental responsibility or any other custody issue that may be causing an unhealthy situation for your child, or negatively affecting your parental rights, we are here to help you.

To schedule a child custody consultation with Gary Dolgin, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Child Custody Attorney Tampa FL, Gary Dolgin