Challenges In Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing: When Others Undermine Your Parental Authority
Parenting is challenging in any situation. It can be particularly difficult when couples are divorced or otherwise living apart. Child time-sharing arrangements address details surrounding the situation and each parent’s individual parental rights and responsibilities.
Unfortunately, they often fail to factor in the negative influence of others, such as the other parent’s friends or family members. When they behave in a manner that undermines your parental authority, our Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer protects your rights and guides you in the legal actions needed.
The Impact Of Family and Friends On Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plans
Under the Florida Statutes, child time-sharing is generally encouraged in cases involving divorced and single parents. By dividing the child’s time between the parties, it helps ensure they continue playing an active role in their lives.
Parenting plans are used when making these arrangements. They detail the amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home and their individual rights and obligations. However, they typically fail to factor in input from family, friends, or others that can negatively affect the situation. Ways in which these people can undermine your parental authority include:
- Blaming you for the breakup;
- Casting doubt on your abilities or motives;
- Criticizing parenting choices;
- Bad-mouthing you to the child;
- Refusing to enforce your household rules or follow established schedules;
- Encouraging the child to be disobedient and poisoning your relationship with them.
If you are facing this type of difficult and potentially dangerous situation, it is important to get legal help immediately.
Parenting Plan Modifications May Be The Best Way To Protect Yourself And Your Child
When creating a parenting plan through the Broward County Court, you should include provisions on how to resolve problems or disputes that arise. However, these typically address issues between you and the other parent rather than other people involved.
If you know their family members or someone else in their life is likely to undermine your parental authority, we can include special provisions in your parenting plan to address that situation. If it happens after a parenting plan is negotiated and a final order is in place, we may be able to request modifications. These may include:
- Restrictions on whether the child can see the person undermining your authority;
- Limitations on when and the amount of time they can visit;
- A list of behaviors strictly prohibited;
- Serious penalties, including loss of the other party’s parental rights, if the offending behavior continues.
Request A Consultation With Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer Today
Implementing parenting plans in Fort Lauderdale is never easy. However, when the other parent’s family members or friends attempt to undermine your parental authority, it is important to take legal action immediately.
Vanessa L. Prieto provides the trusted legal guidance and professional representation you need to protect your rights in this situation. To discuss your options, call or contact us online and request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms/Parenting-Plan-12.995-Forms-A-C/Parenting-Plan
