Florida's parenting law no longer uses the word "custody" for this. It splits the question in two: parental responsibility, which is who makes the major decisions for the child, and timesharing, which is the schedule of when the child is with each parent. Reyes Miller Law Group represents parents on both questions in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, Orange, Hillsborough and Leon counties, whether the case is part of a divorce, a paternity case or a later modification.
How Reyes Miller Law Group handles custody cases
Equal timesharing disputes
Florida now presumes that equal time is in the child's best interest. Depending on which side of that presumption you are on, we build the evidence to keep it in place or to overcome it.
Decision-making authority
When parents cannot agree on school, doctors or religion, we ask the court to give one parent the final say over specific areas, or to keep those decisions shared.
High-conflict custody
Substance abuse, neglect, interference with timesharing, a parent turning the child against the other: we document it, present it the way the statute requires and ask for the protections the child needs.
Emergency custody
When a child is in danger or about to be taken out of the state, we move the court for emergency relief.
Evaluations and guardians ad litem
When the court appoints a guardian ad litem or orders a social investigation or psychological evaluation, we prepare you for it and challenge findings that do not hold up.
What Florida law says
Shared parental responsibility is the default
Unless it would be detrimental to the child, the court orders shared parental responsibility, which means both parents make the major decisions together (section 61.13(2)(c), Florida Statutes). The court can still give one parent the final say over specific areas such as education or health care.
The equal-timesharing presumption
Since July 1, 2023, Florida law presumes that equal timesharing is in the child's best interest. A parent who wants a different schedule must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that equal time is not in the child's best interest.
The best-interest factors
The judge decides by weighing the factors in section 61.13(3): each parent's ability to put the child's needs first, to follow the schedule and to communicate with the other parent, the child's developmental needs, the stability of each home, evidence of domestic violence or abuse, and more.
No preference for mothers or fathers
Nothing in Florida's timesharing statute favors mothers or fathers. The equal-timesharing presumption applies to both parents alike.
The child's preference
Florida sets no age at which a child chooses. The court can consider the reasonable preference of a child who is mature enough to express one, as one factor among many.
Every case ends in a parenting plan
Any order on timesharing comes with a court-approved parenting plan that sets the schedule, holidays, school and medical decisions, and how the parents communicate.
What happens after you reach out
- 1
A free consultation
Call or send the form. You talk with the firm about what is happening, in English or Spanish, at no cost.
- 2
We review your papers
Bring any petition, order, agreement or letter you have received. Family court deadlines are short, so we look for those first.
- 3
An honest plan
You get a straight assessment of your options and what each one is likely to cost in time and money.
- 4
We handle the case
If you hire the firm, we prepare and file the papers, deal with the other side, and represent you at mediation and in court.
Where we handle custody cases
Reyes Miller Law Group takes cases in these seven Florida counties. Each county's family cases are heard in its own judicial circuit.
- Palm Beach County
15th Judicial Circuit
Main Judicial Center (Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse)
- Miami-Dade County
11th Judicial Circuit
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
- Broward County
17th Judicial Circuit
Broward County Central Courthouse, Judicial Complex West Building
- Monroe County
16th Judicial Circuit
- Orange County
9th Judicial Circuit
Orange County Courthouse
- Hillsborough County
13th Judicial Circuit
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
- Leon County
2nd Judicial Circuit
Leon County Courthouse
Our offices
THE FIRM
The sword and the shield.
Reyes Miller Law Group is built for clients who cannot afford a poor outcome. The firm combines strategic litigation, negotiation, mediation, and practical family-law guidance.
WHAT WE DO
- Divorce, custody & family law litigation
- Uncontested & simplified divorce
- Paternity, petitions, counter-petitions & responses
- Child support, alimony & modifications
- Parenting plans, timesharing & parental responsibility
- Equitable distribution of marital assets & debts
- Prenuptial & postnuptial agreements
- Name changes & legal document preparation
- Aggressive negotiation & skilled mediation
- High-conflict divorce, custody & parental alienation
- Child abduction & wrongful retention (Hague Convention)
- Domestic violence injunctions — petitioners & respondents
- Complex, high-asset & high-net-worth divorce
- Emergency motions, ex parte relief & contempt
- Relocation disputes — in-state & out-of-state
Frequently asked questions
Is Florida a 50/50 custody state?
As a starting point, yes. Since July 2023 Florida presumes equal timesharing is in the child's best interest. That presumption can be overcome with evidence, and many final schedules are not 50/50.
Can the other parent keep my child from me?
Not in violation of a court order. When there is an order, refusing court-ordered timesharing can lead to make-up time, attorney's fees and contempt. When there is no order yet, the most reliable protection is usually to file for one.
Do fathers get equal time in Florida?
Fathers and mothers start from the same place under the statute. An unmarried father must first have paternity legally established. After that, the same equal-timesharing presumption applies to him.
What if the other parent is a danger to our child?
Evidence of domestic violence, abuse, neglect or substance misuse is something the court must weigh, and in a true emergency the court can act before a full hearing. If a child is in danger right now, call 911 first, then call us.
Can a custody order be changed later?
Yes, when there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances since the last order and the modification is in the child's best interest.
Other cases we handle
Related articles
- How Florida Timesharing Works: What Every Parent Needs to Know
- What Judges Look for in a Florida Parenting Plan
- Emergency Motions in Florida Family Court: When and How to File
Managing partner
Yvette B. Reyes, Esq. · Florida Bar No. 53510 · Practicing in Florida since 1995 · Read her profile
Page updated September 2026. This page describes the services of Reyes Miller Law Group and general Florida law. It is not legal advice about your situation, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Full disclaimer.
