This is the last post in my series discussing child custody appeals in Melbourne and elsewhere in the state of Florida. I felt this was an important topic because many parents are unsure how to respond to an unfavorable outcome in a custody ruling. Our goal in this series has been to educate parents involved in custody disputes about their options to appeal. It has also been our goal to stress the importance of engaging an experienced appeals attorney as early in the process as possible to understand and preserve your right to appeal. If you require assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
This series has addressed several important topics, including:
- Commonly raised issues in child custody appeals
- How the matter may proceed while the case is on appeal
- Challenging whether the Trial Court’s decision is in the child’s best interest
- Challenging evidentiary rulings
- Possible outcomes of an appeal
There are many reasons these topics are important to parents involved in a child custody case. First, not all cases may be appealed. Because an appeals court is only permitted to review certain elements of a trial court’s decision, it is important to understand whether your case is a candidate. Second, the appeals process differs significantly from the trial court process. An understanding of the deadlines, proceedings and outcomes is essential for any party considering this step. Third, understanding the ways in which a party may challenge a court’s determination that something is in their child’s “best interest” is an important element of an appeal. Fourth, parents should understand the basis for challenging evidentiary rulings. Finally, potential outcomes of the process can vary and parents should understand the options before deciding whether or not to pursue an appeal.
If you are involved in a child custody dispute and are considering an appeal, it is imperative that you contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Appeals cases involve complicated legal issues and consulting with counsel may help you through the process. Contact my office today to speak to a Melbourne, Florida child custody lawyer.
My office services clients in the cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.