Attorney for Child Custody in Broward and Miami-Dade County
How Does The Court Determine Custody?
Child Custody
Time-sharing and parental responsibility are among the biggest concerns for parents when a marriage or relationship ends. It is hard to go from having a child at home 100 percent of the time to dividing parenting time. Emotions can cloud your judgment, making it difficult to come to an agreement.
Our child custody attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience helping clients settle these matters. We are dedicated to protecting your child’s emotional well-being while defending your rights as a parent. Additionally, our team understands the emotional turmoil you are going through right now and can help ease your anxiety while guiding you through the process.
From mediation to litigation, we can go over your options for creating an agreement. Contact us today to discuss a strategy for your situation.
Child Custody Categories
While there are various details to consider, custody is divided into two main categories in Florida, which are:
- Time-sharing
- Parental responsibility
Time-sharing refers to the amount of time the child spends with each parent. Then, parental responsibility refers to decision-making power, such as choosing where the child attends school. We take a child-centric approach to settling both while protecting our client’s interests.
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Why Choose Cabanas Law Firm?
- Fully Bilingual – Our attorneys and staff are fluent in English and Spanish, so you don’t have to worry about the details getting lost in translation.
- Over Six Decades of Combined Experience – Sergio Cabanas, Esq. was admitted into the Florida Bar Association in 1991 and founded the firm in 2006. The firm’s attorneys have more than six decades of combined experience in family law.
- Clients Are the Priority – Our Broward and Miami-Dade County family law & divorce attorneys make each client a priority. We respond to all communications within 24 hours and provide concierge-level client services to busy professionals.
- Certified Mediators – As certified mediators, our attorneys can help clients resolve divorce and family law issues with as little contention as possible.
- Three Office Locations– Cabanas Law Firm has three offices in South Florida. You can meet with an attorney at our Pembroke Pines, Weston, or Sunny Isles Beach office.
Time-sharing Arrangements
You can submit a parenting plan to the court or have the judge arrange one for you. In both instances, you can choose between three time-sharing arrangements, selecting the one that is in the child’s best interests.
Equal time-sharing means the child will spend the same number of overnights with each parent. Then, majority time-sharing means the child will spend more overnights with one parent than the other. If your child spends the majority of nights with you, you will be the residential parent.
While not as common, supervised time-sharing means that one parent must be supervised by a third-party whenever spending time with the child. This is most common when the parent has a history of child abuse, addiction, or domestic violence.
Our child custody attorney can help you work out an agreement and the schedule. For instance, you might choose to do a weekly exchange or keep the child for two weeks at a time. Some parents prefer a 3-4-4-3 arrangement, while a 2-2-5-5 schedule makes more sense for others. With so much to consider, contact our firm today to get started.
Parental Responsibly Designations
Both parties also must agree on parental responsibilities, or the judge will decide for them. In most cases, parents share responsibility, meaning they make decisions together. However, shared parental responsibility with ultimate responsibility is also an option. In this instance, one parent will be the ultimate decision-maker in specific situations. Finally, you can be awarded sole parental responsibility if the other parent is unfit.
Contact our firm if you are having trouble creating an agreement. With certified mediators and experienced litigators, we can help you settle child custody, so you can begin the next stage of your life.
Child Preference
If your child is deemed mature enough to make such a big decision, he or she can weigh in on the custody arrangement. The judge will consider his or her preference but will not make a decision based on that alone. Instead, the judge will consider additional factors, including the parents’ ability to provide the child with a safe, stable, and loving environment. Each factor is based on choosing the arrangement that is in the child’s best interest. Contact our firm to learn more about how the court creates parenting plans.
Modifying A Custody Agreement
Depending on your child’s age during the divorce, a child custody agreement can last for years. Of course, it is not unusual for situations to change over the course of several years, meaning that you might discover your custody agreement no longer fits your situation. You can petition to modify the agreement if you have experienced a material, unforeseeable, or substantial change. Our child custody attorney can discuss the matter with you to determine if you are eligible for a modification. If so, our firm can help you file the petition and represent you at the hearing.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
1. Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
2. We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
3. Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
4. Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
5. Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
6. Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Meet Our Attorneys
Sergio Cabanas, Esq.
Managing Attorney & Founder
Laura Grossman, Esq.
Senior Associate Attorney
Brian Prieto, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Professional Associations
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Our Locations
Service Areas
Broward County:
- Pembroke Pines
- Miramar
- Weston
- Cooper City
- Hollywood
- Davie
- Southwest Ranches
- Sunrise
- Plantation
- Fort Lauderdale
Miami-Dade County:
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Aventura
- Golden Beach
- North Beach
- North bay Village
- Dania Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Bal Harbour
- Bay Harbor Islands
- Indian Creek
- Surfside
- Doral
- Hialeah
- Miami Lakes
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- Tamiami
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