Q: Outcome of temporary hearing for 50/50 custody request in Florida?
What is the likely outcome of a temporary hearing in Florida when Parent A is requesting 50/50 custody of a 5-month-old infant? The infant currently lives 5 hours away from Parent A due to the other parent's recent move, which happened right before Parent A filed to establish paternity. The child is thriving in the new home with good living conditions and a supportive environment. There was an informal agreement of multiple supervised visits for a couple of hours weekly before the move. The other parent has offered video chats and visitation, but Parent A has only requested meet-ups when the child would be back in their area and has not complied with video chats. Parent A's request for 50/50 custody follows the other parent's move out of the area.
A: There are a lot of "what ifs" in your question. The starting point for timesharing is 50/50. You do not provide the reason for the move. Was it for a legitimate reason or just to put distance between the parties. Obviously 50/50 timesharing for an infant with the parents living 5 hours apart is not feasible. Ultimately the court will try to fashion a timesharing plan that is in the best interests of the child, including age and distance. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
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