This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on the common question of “when do Florida child custody agreements end?” I considered it crucial to write on this topic as many misunderstandings exist as to the length of time for which custody orders are operable. These misunderstandings can lead to conflict between the parents and difficulty for the child. My goal in writing this series was to provide information which would assist people in understanding their situation. It was also my goal to provide information which will assist with the retaining of a family law attorney. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
I addressed multiple topics through my recent blog posts. Issues which I discussed included:
- Child custody orders are in effect until a child turns eighteen or is emancipated
- Parents must pay child support until the child is eighteen or has completed high school
- Parents have a right to visitation while their child is a minor
- Dealing with a child who is refusing visitation
There are multiple reasons why I chose to address these particular topics. First, parents often believe their custody order is no longer operable if it is old or otherwise not being followed. Both parents neglecting the order does not make it inoperable. All custody orders are considered valid and enforceable until they are superseded or until a child is considered to be in the age of majority. Second, the obligation to pay support and the right of a parent to receive visitation lasts until a child is eighteen, has graduated from high school, or is emancipated. Failing to pay support, or refusing to follow a visitation order, can result in a parent being found in contempt of court. Finally, if a child is refusing to follow an operable visitation order then there are options for parents to deal with the situation.
An important point I made in each of these articles was that one should contact a family law attorney as soon as possible if they are involved in a legal dispute. Engaging in self-help, or arguing with one’s counterpart, can often hurt the situation more than it can help it. Experienced counsel can help to ensure that you are navigating the system correctly. As a Melbourne child custody lawyer, I am able to assist with such matters. Contact my office online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. 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.