How Does a Divorce Work With a Child?

Divorce is hard to begin with, but it’s especially complicated when it involves a child or multiple children. Even a divorce that doesn’t involve a child presents many issues, such as how to divide assets and liabilities, and whether to award alimony. But when a divorcing couple shares a child, the court must also determine how to divide parental responsibility (custody) and time-sharing (visitation) and how much to award in child support.

The “Best Interests of the Child” Standard

When presiding over a divorce that involves a child, the court must consider what will be best for the child rather than focusing just on the divorcing spouses’ respective interests. Indeed, every state in the country has enacted some type of legislation specifying that courts have to consider the child’s best interests when deciding parental responsibility and time-sharing issues. In Florida, for example, the law states that with regard to decisions affecting parental responsibility and time-sharing, “the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration.”

Divorce Attorneys Proudly Serving Tampa Bay Clients

If you and your spouse share a child and you’re in the process of divorcing, you can get the legal assistance you need from the attorneys at the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. We have extensive experience handling divorces involving children and we’ll do everything we can to ensure that your rights and your child’s rights remain protected.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We have offices in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor, and we’d be happy to meet with you at whichever location is most convenient. We’re open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., so just let us know a date and time that will fit into your schedule.