Palm Beach Parental Rights Lawyers

Parental Rights in Florida

Florida law is explicit about parental rights, even in cases of divorce or separation. Both parents have the right to receive information about their child's health, education, and welfare, speak with their child's healthcare providers, participate in school activities, and access their child's school and health records. 

Additionally, they can agree or object to significant decisions affecting the child. In divorce cases, courts often work to ensure both parents continue to contribute to their child's upbringing. 

However, parental rights and responsibilities distribution can depend on several factors, including each parent's capacity to maintain a close relationship with the child, uphold the child's best interests, and cooperate with the other parent. Generally, both parents have these rights unless a court order provides otherwise.

Sometimes, a parent may be restricted to limited access, supervised visitation, or denied visitation rights if that parent has a proven history of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect. 

Parental Rights & Paternity

Unmarried fathers who have not declared themselves as the parent of a child through a formal declaration of paternity, generally done when the child is born, may not have legal parental rights, such as visitation, of a child. These fathers can pursue the establishment of paternity through the courts to gain visitation or custody rights to their children.

Fighting for Your Parental Rights in Florida

While it may seem tempting to fight for your rights in a courtroom when they're threatened, litigation can often be a lengthy, costly, and stress-inducing process. On the other hand, dispute resolution methods such as mediation and collaborative law offer an alternative that can be more conducive to maintaining amicable relations and reaching a mutually satisfying agreement.

Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating a conversation between you and the other parents to help you reach an agreement. This process promotes open communication and cooperation, allowing both sides to focus on their child’s best interests. Collaborative law, on the other hand, involves each parent working with their attorney and a team of professionals to create a comprehensive parenting plan. 

Although these processes may seem daunting, you have resources and options to protect your parental rights. At John F. Schutz, P. L., we are dedicated to providing you with the guidance and support you need throughout these challenging proceedings. 

Our experience in family law and our commitment to advocating for our clients ensure that you are not alone on this journey. We strive to help you navigate the complexities of parental rights so you can focus on what truly matters -- the welfare and happiness of your child.

You can reach a team member by email or phone at (561) 677-2462 to learn more today.