Protecting Your Children’s Future
At Cohen Blass Law, we handle a wide range of custody and support scenarios with sensitivity and strategy. From building cooperative parenting plans to resolving relocation conflicts, our team provides customized legal guidance to protect your parental rights and your child’s well-being.
Our Approach to Custody and Support Cases
At Cohen Blass Law, we understand how deeply personal custody and support matters are. These decisions impact your children’s stability and your long-term peace of mind. That’s why we prioritize clear communication, smart legal strategy, and compassionate representation—so you can make decisions with confidence.
Key Pillars:
- Personalized Legal Strategies: Tailored to your unique family situation, whether you’re negotiating custody, enforcing child support, or modifying an existing order.
- Experienced Advocacy: We know how to present compelling arguments that focus on your child’s best interests—whether in mediation or the courtroom.
- Full-Service Support: From initial filings to post-judgment modifications, we guide you through every legal step.
Child Custody in Florida: What You Need To Know
Florida uses "time-sharing" terminology rather than traditional "custody" language. Here's what that means for your case:
PARENTING PLANS ARE MANDATORY:
Florida requires all custody cases to have a detailed parenting plan that addresses:
- Time-sharing schedules (where the child lives and when) - School and activity decisions - Healthcare decisions - Communication between parents and childrenBEST INTERESTS STANDARD:
Florida courts determine time-sharing based on the child's best interests,
considering 20 specific factors including:
- Each parent's ability to maintain a stable home
- The child's relationship with each parent
- The child's school, home, and community record
- Each parent's willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent
- Evidence of domestic violence, substance abuse, or child abuse
NO GENDER PREFERENCE:
Florida law does not favor mothers over fathers (or vice versa). Courts start
with the presumption that equal time-sharing may be in the child's best interests.
CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES:
Florida uses income-based guidelines to calculate child support, factoring in:
- Both parents' incomes
- Number of overnights with each parent
- Health insurance costs
- Daycare expenses
Real Solutions for Common Custody Challenges
At Cohen Blass Law, we know no two families are alike. We offer practical legal solutions for a range of custody and support issues, from day-to-day parenting plans to cross-border relocation concerns. Our team is here to provide clarity, compassion, and strong advocacy at every stage.
Joint Custody Plans
✓ Create modification procedures as children grow
Relocation & Travel Disputes
✓ Modify time-sharing for out-of-state moves
Child Support Enforcement & Modifications
✓ Address health insurance and unreimbursed medical expenses
Custody Cases We Handle
INITIAL CUSTODY DETERMINATIONS: Establishing custody and time-sharing as part of divorce or paternity cases. CUSTODY MODIFICATIONS: Changing existing arrangements when circumstances change significantly. EMERGENCY CUSTODY: Seeking immediate protection when a child's safety is at risk. PATERNITY & CUSTODY: Establishing legal fatherhood and parenting rights for unmarried parents. GRANDPARENT & THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY: Protecting grandparent visitation rights or pursuing custody when parents are unable to care for the child. HIGH-CONFLICT CUSTODY: Managing contentious cases involving parental alienation, relocation disputes, or significant disagreements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about custody, child support, and family law—so you can feel informed, empowered, and ready to move forward.
Filing for custody begins with a legal petition to the court. From there, you may need to attend mediation, complete parenting plans, and appear before a judge. At Cohen Blass Law, we guide you through each step, ensuring your paperwork is accurate, your voice is heard, and your child’s best interests remain the focus throughout.
Court orders for custody or support can be modified when circumstances change, such as income shifts, relocation, or parenting time concerns. We’ll help you evaluate whether your situation qualifies, file the appropriate motions, and advocate for your needs in or out of court.
Your safety and your child’s well-being are our top priorities. If you are experiencing domestic violence, we can help you seek immediate protective orders and take legal steps to secure a safe environment. We act quickly and with care, offering support while protecting your legal rights.
Yes. Unmarried parents have legal rights too. We help you establish paternity (if needed) and pursue custody or visitation arrangements that reflect your relationship with your child and protect their stability.
Not all custody or support cases require a courtroom battle. In many cases, we help parents reach agreements through negotiation or mediation. But if court becomes necessary, you’ll have an experienced advocate by your side from start to finish.
Florida uses statutory guidelines based on both parents’ combined income, the number of children, and overnight distribution. Additional factors include health insurance, daycare, and the child’s special needs.
Toggle Content❓ Can I move out of state with my child? In Florida, if you share custody, you must provide 60 days’ notice and get either the other parent’s consent or court approval before relocating more than 50 miles away. The court will evaluate whether the move serves the child’s best interests.
You can file a motion for contempt or enforcement. If violations are significant or ongoing, you may be able to modify the time-sharing arrangement.
Florida law doesn’t set a specific age. However, as children mature (typically around 12-14), judges may give more weight to their preferences if they demonstrate sufficient maturity and the preference serves their best interests.
Florida courts consider 20 factors including: stability of each home, parent-child relationships, each parent’s ability to maintain a stable environment, moral fitness, mental and physical health, the child’s school/community ties, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse.