Warning Signs Of Parental Alienation And Child Endangerment In Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Plans

Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing plans dictate the amount of time parents spend with their children in the event they are unmarried or going through a divorce in Broward County. Unfortunately, having a court order in place does not mean these plans proceed without a hitch.

There are a variety of different types of problems that can arise, but parental alienation and child endangerment are two of the most serious. Our Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer explains warning signs of each and how to protect you and your child.

Parental Alienation: When the Other Parent Tries To Turn Your Child Against You

Under the Florida Statutes, child time-sharing arrangements are encouraged in cases of divorced and unmarried couples. The court generally considers it in the best interests of children to have frequent and ongoing contact with both parents. Unfortunately, the parties in these cases do not always agree.

Provided there are no obvious behaviors that put you or your child at risk, such as allegations of abuse or alcohol and drug addiction, it is generally a good idea to negotiate a parenting plan. This allows you to make more customized arrangements that a judge would otherwise. However, if one of the parents holds a grudge or has a strong desire to control the situation, parental alienation could be a problem.

This basically involves one parent attempting to turn their child against the other. Warning signs include:

• When the other parent tells your child that you are responsible for the breakup of your family;
• When they make you out to be less competent or not as good of a person or parent;
• When they encourage your child not to obey you or follow rules you have in place;
• When they encourage the child to talk back, refuse visits, or rebel against you in other ways.

Signs Of Child Endangerment

Parental alienation is a form of child abuse. If the other parent is engaging in this type of behavior, you may be able to take them to court and request modifications to your Florida parenting plan. You should also notify your lawyer immediately if child endangerment is suspected. This may include:

• Neglected to provide the appropriate food, clothing, or medical care the child needs;
• Not supporting them in their schoolwork and allowing them to ‘skip’ classes;
• Encouraging them to participate in activities against your wishes that pose obvious risks, such as traveling solo;
• Exposing them to people who engage in criminal activity or other dangerous behaviors.

Request A Consultation With Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer

Parental alienation and child endangerment are serious allegations. If the other parent is engaging in this type of behavior, it could put both you and your child at risk. For caring support and the trusted legal guidance you need to request parenting plan modifications, get Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto on your side. To request a consultation, give us a call or contact us online today.

Sources:

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

flcourts.gov/content/download/686031/file_pdf/995a.pdf