Parenting Plans and Child Support Attorneys in Melbourne, FL
Putting Your Children First
When navigating a divorce with children involved, your highest priority should be their best interest. At the Figueroa Law Group, P.A., we put our clients’ children first. Our child support lawyers in Melbourne, FL compassionately assist clients through the processes of drafting parenting plans and calculating child support payments.
Learn more about how we can help with your case by calling (321) 248-1011.
Parenting Plans
A very important part of a divorce or separation is the safety and protection of your child. Parents can negotiate and draft a parenting plan, or the court can do so on their behalf. A parenting plan has many provisions that concern the health and welfare of the minor child or children. The plan provides for specific time-sharing schedules including the days of the week, whether these days include overnight time-sharing, school days off, summer vacation, and holidays. It also includes the location of the time-sharing exchange and which parent provides the transportation.
The court’s primary concern regarding a parenting plan is what is in the best interests of the minor child or children. Often, parents prefer to make this decision in a Mediation Agreement or Marital Settlement Agreement, as they know their child’s needs and want to create a stable and healthy environment for the family.
Florida law provides that parents are to have shared parental responsibility for their child or children unless shared responsibility could be detrimental to the child or children. Shared parental responsibility requires a relationship between the parents that allows them to confer and discuss issues that affect the child’s welfare, including health care, school-related matters, and access to school and health records.
The Melbourne, FL parenting plan attorneys at the Figueroa Law Group, P.A. believe that the health, safety, and welfare of children are of the utmost importance. We have the experience and network of providers that work with our office as needed to assist you in making reasonable decisions that will avoid litigation after your case is completed. However, results cannot be guaranteed.
Our attorneys can listen to your unique circumstances and focus on your goals. We will propose, negotiate, and advocate on your behalf a safe and stable time-sharing agreement that prioritizes your child’s well-being.
Child Support in Florida
Florida provides a mathematical formula for determining child support that considers the amount of overnight time-sharing.
When awarding child support, courts consider:
- The costs of health and dental insurance
- Out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses
- Daycare expenses
- Which parent can claim their child or children on their taxes
- The parties’ net income after taxes
- Which parent is entitled to earned income credit
- Which parent can claim head of household
Whether you are paying or receiving child support, it is important that all calculations are performed accurately. This will ensure that the child support award is fair, reasonable, and high enough to adequately care for the child. However, results cannot be guaranteed.
Our Melbourne, FL child support attorneys can carefully guide you through the calculations. We will assist you in determining whether you wish to pay or receive child support through an income withholding order or have payment directly received or made directly to the other parent. Our attorneys will carefully draft the language of a settlement or advocate for you in court for the proper payment to avoid unnecessary litigation after your case is completed.
We look forward to assisting with your case. Call us at (321) 248-1011 to get started.
