When children are involved in a family law case, this quickly becomes the most important issue. Whether the issue is time-sharing (Florida no longer calls it “custody”) or parental decision making, the Law Firm of Ann-Marie Giustibelli, P.A. ensures that your children’s best interests are protected.

Not that long ago, the courts, and indeed parents, assumed that the mother of a child would be the “primary residential” or “custodial” parent. Fortunately, Florida law evolved where now there is a presumption that both parents are equally qualified to care for their children. Now a 50/50 timesharing plan is more the norm than the exception. However, when circumstances such as substance dependency, work schedules, or abusive relationships exist, the Law Firm of Ann-Marie Giustibelli, P.A. works tirelessly to ensure that your children’s safety and well being is protected.

The law requires that parents present a suggested parenting plan to the court, done either individually or collectively. The plan incorporates not only a proposed time-sharing and holiday schedule, but a delegation of other parental responsibilities, including transporting the children, selecting alternative caregivers, extracurricular activities, medical care, and making other major decisions affecting the children’s lives. We do our best so that a collaborative parenting plan containing both parents’ input, and, consequently, taking into consideration the best interest of the children, is ultimately presented to the court. We ensure that all of your concerns regarding the children are understood and communicated, and then help you fashion the proper plan for your family. This process may involve the assistance of a guardian ad litem, a court-appointed individual who, in essence, becomes the voice of the children to the judge, as well as a psychologist or a parenting coordinator. Our firm ensures that all of these options are explained to you so that you can make a uniform decision as to whether one of these professionals is right for your case.