Five Tips For Sharing Child Custody In Tampa This Winter
Winter is all about being grateful for what you have and enjoying food and fellowship with loved ones. However, if you are a parent and have recently gone through a divorce or separation, the idea of tackling your first winter can be daunting. In addition to your own complex feelings about what happened, you likely have concerns over how your children will adapt to this new situation.
At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., our Tampa family lawyer has extensive experience helping clients in Hillsborough County child custody cases. The following are five tips that can help make this winter season easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
- Adjust Your Expectations
If you are new to the family court system, be aware of how state laws apply in regard to child custody. Under the Florida Statutes, child time-sharing arrangements are generally encouraged, allowing both parents to remain active and involved in the child’s life.
Realize that this will likely require making some significant changes to your usual winter schedule and potentially missing out on certain events or activities. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
- Adhere To Your Parenting Plan
When making child time-sharing arrangements, a parenting plan is typically created. This dictates the amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home and each party’s rights regarding visitation, including during the winter season.
Once a parenting plan is put in place by the court, you are required to follow it. Not doing so could result in serious penalties and may jeopardize your rights to custody.
- Avoid Nostalgia For The Past
Going through a break-up involves making major changes. This is particularly true when there are children involved. While fond memories of the past are part of the winter season, avoid being overly nostalgic or idealizing the previous situation. Focusing too much on the past robs you of present opportunities.
- Focus On The Present
Focus on getting through the weekend one step at a time. In addition to not dwelling on the past, do not let concern and worry over the future damper the winter spirit for you and your children. Try to avoid fighting or feelings of resentment with your former partner as well.
- Adopt Some New Traditions
While you may not feel much like celebrating, winter can provide a welcome reprieve from all that you have been through over the past year. Consider this a fresh start and be open to creating new traditions more in line with what winter means to you.
Our Tampa Family Lawyer Is Here To Help
At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., you can count on us to provide caring support and trusted representation when dealing with sensitive family court matters, such as child custody. We are here to provide the legal help you need to protect your rights and your children’s well-being. To request a consultation with our Tampa child custody lawyer, 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
