How Drug Or Alcohol Use Can Impact Your Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plan

Parenting plans in Fort Lauderdale dictate the amount of time you get to spend with your child. Maintaining a steady presence in your child’s life helps ensure a strong relationship as they grow. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use on the part of either parent may need to be addressed as part of child time-sharing proceedings. Find out how this can impact your case and your rights if you or the other parent had alcohol or drug problems in the past.

Problems With Drug And Alcohol Use In Florida Child Time-Sharing Proceedings

In cases of divorce or unmarried parents, the Florida Statutes generally dictate child time-sharing arrangements that allow both parties to remain active and engaged in their child’s life. However, there are certain factors that could impact your rights in this situation, and alcohol or drug use is one of them.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than 20 million people in the United States struggle with some type of substance abuse disorder. This can create problems in Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing proceedings in the following situations:

• You have prior DUIs;
• You have previously been arrested on any type of drug charge;
• You currently use illegal, recreational drugs or overindulge in alcohol regularly;
• Your drug and alcohol use disrupts your life, such as depleting finances or costing you jobs;
• You refuse drug and alcohol treatment or have failed rehab visits.

Addressing Past Drug Or Alcohol Issues

If drugs or alcohol are an issue for you, it could jeopardize your rights in the Broward County Family Court. The other parent could bring it up during hearings or legal negotiations and may use your struggles to try and prevent you from seeing your children. The best course of action in this situation is to seek treatment if needed, see it through, and avoid using it in the future.

If your spouse has a drug or alcohol problem, it is important to take whatever steps are needed to protect the safety of your children. This includes:

• Informing the court of the problem;
• Providing evidence, such as criminal or hospital records;
• Detailing behavior on their part that could endanger your child;
• Asking the court to set reasonable limits, such as requiring supervised visits or drug and alcohol testing.

Discuss Your Case With Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer

Many people struggle with drug and alcohol use. While it may not be something you care to discuss, it is important to be aware of how this could impact your child time-sharing proceedings and to make your lawyer aware of the situation.

As an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer, Vanessa L. Prieto provides the trusted legal guidance you need, without any judgment. Our top priority is protecting your rights and your relationship with your child  To discuss some of the options available in creating a parenting plan and proactive ways to address this common issue, call or contact us online and request a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/new-research-and-insights-into-substance-use-disorder

browardclerk.org/