What Role Does Extended Family Play in Orlando Child Custody Cases?

Many families in Orlando are relatively big, and various family members may play a role in raising children. If you’re part of one of these big families, you might wonder how your custody case will affect your child’s time with these extended relatives. How can you make sure that the child’s aunts, grandparents, and uncles still spend plenty of time with the kids? This is something you might want to discuss with an Orlando child custody attorney.

Family Courts Consider the Role of Extended Relatives

When approaching child custody cases, family courts in Florida consider various “best-interest factors.” One of these factors is the involvement of family members other than the parents. The goal of the family court is to determine whether supporting and encouraging these continued relationships is in the best interests of the children.

The Involvement of Your Extended Relatives Could Be Advantageous

There are many situations in which the involvement of your extended relatives could be advantageous. For example, you might have a sibling who regularly looks after the children. Perhaps this is the child’s aunt or uncle. You might also have a parent (the child’s grandparent) who looks after the child while you’re at work. Perhaps this senior individual lives in your household as a dependent.

In situations like these, the family court may see the involvement of your relatives as beneficial for the child’s well-being. In the eyes of the court, the child has a better chance of a happy, productive life if they remain in the same environment with access to the same people.

Your Relatives Could Also Make Child Custody Difficult

With that said, your relatives also have the potential to throw your custody battle into disarray. For example, your parent might take it upon themselves to “vent” on social media about how terrible your ex is. They might also tell your child that they should never trust your ex. Perhaps your uncle became enraged after your divorce and challenged your ex to a fight.

In worst-case scenarios, your relatives might also have a history of abusing, harming, or neglecting your children. When faced with this type of situation, the family court may take steps to ensure the children never come into contact with such individuals again. As a result of your close association with these individuals, you may lose parenting time.

In other words, a relative can be a double-edged sword in a custody battle. It is imperative that you approach their potential involvement in a strategic manner, while warning them against unnecessary or detrimental acts.

Can an Orlando Custody Attorney Help Me? 

Extended relatives can play a surprisingly major role in some custody battles. Sometimes, the involvement of these relatives is a net benefit. In other cases, your relatives might be disadvantageous. In other words, it all depends on your unique circumstances. Consider discussing these unique circumstances with an experienced Orlando custody attorney today. Contact Steve Marsee, P.A. today to learn more about the next steps.

Source:

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