When Does Child Visitation End in Florida?
When two parents get a divorce, decisions must be made about child custody. The courts strive to award joint custody, or an equal amount of time-sharing, to each parent, as it is presumed that this is in the child’s best interests. Once a decision has been made, the court will issue an order that is final and legally binding. However, much like child support, many people wonder when child visitation ends. Below, our Tampa modification attorney explains further.
What Terminates Child Visitation in Florida?
It is not uncommon for parents in Florida to stop following a child custody order if it is outdated. For example, parents may obtain a visitation order at the time of divorce, when the child is still quite young. As the child becomes a teenager, the provisions within that order may no longer be practical. The parents may agree to make informal changes to the custody order.
There are also situations in which one parent may go long periods without seeing their child. The parent may move out of state, or the child may refuse visitation with their parent. In these instances, the parents may believe that their existing child custody order is no longer valid, but that is not true.
The only factors that terminate child visitation in Florida is if the child turns 18 years old, or otherwise becomes emancipated. For example, getting married can result in emancipation but minors need parental consent to marry in Florida. In fact, minors need parental consent to marry even if they are emancipated.
Why Child Visitation Modifications are Necessary
The only way to legally modify a child visitation order is to ask the court to formally change an existing order. Doing so has many benefits for the entire family. If a child visitation order is not officially changed and a dispute arises between the two parents, resolving the issue can become far more complex. When a child visitation order is outdated, it can also cause confusion for the child, regardless of their age.
When petitioning the court to modify an existing child visitation order, clear evidence must be presented showing the need for the change. If the parents have been using an alternative arrangement, the judge will typically uphold it and formalize it in a new court order. In any child custody situation, the court will only consider what is in the child’s best interests.
Our Modification Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case
Any changes made to a child visitation order must be approved by the court in order to be legally binding. The process of modifying a court order, though, is not typically easy. At All Family Law Group, P.A., our Tampa modification attorney can review the facts of your case and guide you through the process so you are fully prepared and obtain the best possible outcome. Call us today at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to request a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm
