This is the next article in my series on the topic of when child custody agreements end in Melbourne and other Florida areas. My last article discussed the fact that a parent must pay child support until the child turns eighteen years old. An exception exists, however, if the child has completed high school. Parents sometimes make the mistake of thinking an obligation has ended simply because the paying parent has not seen the child for a substantial amount of time. This is not the case. An experienced attorney can help you to understand your particular situation. This article will build upon my prior discussion by explaining that visitation orders likewise do not end until the child reaches the age of majority or is emancipated. If you need assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
Florida parents are entitled to visitation until a child turns eighteen years old or is otherwise emancipated
As I discussed in my prior article, it is common for Florida parents to stop following an outdated child custody order. Many parents, for example, have a written visitation agreement that was put in place when the child was younger and is no longer practical as the youth becomes a teenager. In such situations, it can be common for parents to take a more informal approach and “play it by ear” in regards to when a party receives visitation. Also, a party may simply go long periods of time without receiving visitation or the child may be refusing to visit the parent. In such situations, parents sometimes make the mistake of believing that the outdated custody order is no longer in effect. This is not the case.
A parent has a right to child visitation, under any court order, until the youth turns eighteen or is otherwise emancipated under the law. In other words, the parent’s current custody order remains operable until it is modified or until the youth is no longer a minor. This means, for example, that a child typically cannot completely refuse visitation with a parent. If, however, the parties have not been following the order for a prolonged period of time, then the Courts will often be quick to modify the order to reflect the recent arrangements. As I have discussed in previous articles, however, a parent will typically have a right of visitation (barring extreme circumstances).
Retain a Melbourne lawyer to amend an outdated child custody order
Outdated child custody orders can lead to problems between the parents for a number of reasons. They can also result in the child being subjected to a chaotic situation. The best way to ensure against uncertainty and conflict is to make sure that your court order is up to date. The first step in doing so is to file a Supplemental Petition with the Court. The Court will issue an updated order which lays out a new visitation schedule based on the best interests of the child. What that schedule will look like, in any given situation, will always depend on the facts of the matter. An experienced attorney will give you an honest assessment of your case and what to expect from the process.
If you are involved in a family law dispute then contact my office today to speak with a Melbourne child custody lawyer. I practice solely in the area of family law and my office is dedicated to providing the highest level of representation. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and we will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone today. We also service clients in the Brevard County 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.