Jacksonville Fathers' Rights Attorney

Jacksonville, Florida Shared Parental Responsibility Lawyer

Even though the parents of a child have chosen to terminate their relationship, it doesn't mean that they want to terminate their relationship with their child. This can be an extremely difficult time for all concerned, particularly since both parents are concerned for the needs of their child, regardless of their personal differences. It's true that the marriage is over, but the father is still and will always be the father of that child and as such has rights and privileges which are just as important as those of the mother.

Florida's public policy regarding the raising of children is that divorcing parents are strongly encouraged to continue to share not only the rights but also the responsibilities of raising their child. Per Florida Statute 61.046(16) " 'Shared parental responsibility' means a court-ordered relationship in which both parents retain full parental rights and responsibilities with respect to their child and in which both parents confer with each other so that major decisions affecting the welfare of the child will be determined jointly." With this in mind, retaining the services of Jacksonville fathers' rights lawyer with experience in shared parental responsibility negotiations is a must for a father who wants to protect his rights and as well as the welfare of his child.

Best Interests of the Child & Fathers' Rights in Jacksonville

In making a determination regarding shared parental responsibility, the court will consider many factors, always with the best interests of the child in mind. It is important that the parents address issues such as child care, education, routine health care (medical and dental), religion, finances, vacations and special activities, personal beliefs and morals - really, anything that will affect the child's welfare in the present and future. Although the mother has traditionally been considered the parent most involved in the raising of the child, that view has changed considerably in recent years. Florida law recognizes that the father has equal rights and responsibilities with regards to his children. Fathers' rights attorneys at Ellerin | Hutchinson, with offices in Jacksonville, work with you to understand your specific needs and protect your rights as a father.

If you are a father faced with the possibility of separation or divorce, contact a Jacksonville fathers' rights lawyer at Ellerin | Hutchinson today!