Boca Raton Mother’s Rights Lawyer

Legal matters involving children are naturally high-stress and high-stakes. As a mother, you may worry that your relationship with your children is in jeopardy.

You need forceful representation if you are involved in legal proceedings that affect your rights as a mother. A Boca Raton mother’s rights lawyer could provide crucial guidance and support during this time.

Mother’s Rights in Custody Proceedings

Florida law does not give mothers automatic preference in custody proceedings. Instead, the court will base its decision on the best interests of the children. Florida courts prefer parents share custody relatively equally so that children have the greatest opportunity to maintain close and supportive relationships with both parents.

If a father tries to claim a more active role in the children’s upbringing than he had when the parents were married, a skilled attorney could ask the court to consider maintaining the status quo. Protecting a mother’s right to remain the children’s primary caretaker can provide stability for the children during and after a divorce.

When a mother never married a child’s father, but a court issued an order of paternity, the man has an obligation to pay child support and the right to seek timesharing (child custody/visitation) rights. A Boca Raton mother’s rights attorney could advise on managing requests for visitation in a specific case.

Spousal Maintenance Could Allow a Mother to Make Children Her Priority

Mothers who prioritize child-rearing over their careers might be concerned about how they will support themselves and their children in the future, especially if they are young. A mother might wish to postpone returning to the workforce and continue being home for her children.

A mother’s rights lawyer in Boca Raton could ask the court to award a mother adequate spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, to continue to care for the children until they are older. If the mother has a need for funds and the father has the means to pay, a court could order alimony. Spousal maintenance is not mandatory, but a court will not leave a financially dependent spouse without resources.

However, spousal maintenance will be temporary unless the mother is disabled or has another condition that could prevent her from supporting herself. A court might order alimony until the youngest child is in school full-time, allowing a stay-at-home mother to continue to prioritize childcare.

Protecting Boca Raton Mothers Who Experience Domestic Violence

Domestic violence in a home can pose a severe threat to a mother and her children. In cases of domestic violence, a local mother’s rights attorney could act swiftly and decisively to ensure the mother and children are safe and remain so.

Although courts favor shared parental responsibility, shared custody and decision making could be dangerous to the mother and children when the relationship with the co-parent has been violent or abusive. Introducing evidence of one or more convictions on domestic violence charges or other evidence of a parent’s violent behavior in the home could persuade a court not to order shared custody.

Depending on the circumstances, Florida Statutes 61.13 allows a judge to consider violence in the home when deciding on the co-parent’s visitation with the children. The judge might award the violent parent only supervised visitation. If the parent abused a child, the court could bar them from contact with the child.

Speak with a Dedicated Boca Raton Mother’s Rights Attorney Today

Your relationship with your children is precious. If you feel that divorce, timesharing (child custody/visitation) proceedings, or domestic violence are threatening your role as a mother, seek legal help immediately.

A Boca Raton mother’s rights lawyer could provide valuable support and fierce advocacy to protect your rights as a parent. Call today to speak with a capable attorney about your options.