Helping to protect our family in a of time of need… Awesome and Professional… Thank you Art Fulmer, this 10-month family civil case that you helped get a direct verdict today for our family… The Rogerson Family… P.S. Your a Great Lawyer for kids and Families…”
Very thankful for Art Fulmer, Jr and his staff….I was dealing with a critical situation and Mr. Fulmer took the time to listen…and gave me hope. 2 months later…the Lord answered my prayers and He used this wonderful attorney and team to do it!!! This is a very professional law firm- people who truly care and I would highly recommend them!!!”
I can’t say enough good things about the staff at Fulmer Law. The amount of knowledge they are equipped with truly makes them the best. They handle your case as if you are their only client. I highly recommend Fulmer Law!”
I recently came upon a situation where I needed strong, expert legal advice. I had been refered to Fulmer Law by a friend of mine. Mr Fulmer was just what I needed. He encouraged me to take a deep breath, then he walked me through how the process would unfold. He was calm, smart and down to earth. He took his time and treated me with respect. Thank you very much for everything!”
Mr. Fulmer is a caring & awesome person/attorney. He definitely gets results like he says he will. He is a man of his word. Thank you again!”
While we are based in Lakeland, we proudly serve all of Polk County- including Auburndale, Bartow, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Wales, and Winter Haven.
“Custody battles” are stressful and often times heartbreaking for everyone involved. The need to establish child custody in mediation or court is typically a result of divorce, but we can argue for child custody in non-traditional cases as well. Our child custody lawyers will argue for what is in the best interest of the child on your behalf. We aren’t just resolving a dispute between the parties involved. We are caring throughout the process and will explain you and your children’s rights each step of the way.
A family law court will typically order shared custody between both parents. If one parental environment is harmful or detrimental to the child’s well-being, you need one of our strong family law attorneys to present evidence for sole custody to be awarded by a judge. If neither environment is harmful or detrimental, you will need our attorneys to explore the percentage of time you will share.
A wide variety of factors related to the child’s needs will be reviewed as the court determines the parameters for custody. Examples of the questions our family law attorneys explore are: Who is the more involved parent? Who completes the child’s daily routines? Does the other parent have a daily schedule that prevents involvement? It is also important not to disrupt the child’s already established lifestyle and school atmosphere. These are just examples of the early discussions we will have during our free consultation to determine child custody arrangements. We will take our time to speak with you, build a strong case, and effectively represent you in court.
A family law court will typically order that custody be shared. Alternately, the judge will rule that one parental environment is harmful or detrimental to the child’s well-being, in which case they will mandate sole custody to the other parent.
A wide variety of factors related to child’s needs will be reviewed as the court determines the parameters for custody. Our child custody lawyers will help you present a strong case so that the resolution is in the child’s best interests as well as your own.
At Fulmer Law, PA understand how to craft an argument that meets the expectations expressed in the child custody laws while delivering your message and advocating your position.
Factors to be addressed by a child custody attorney include:
Our child custody lawyers have the compassion, drive, and experience to passionately and knowledgeably represent you.
Fundamental laws they will use to develop your case include the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (Title VI, Chapter 61) and Temporary Custody of Minor Children by Extended Family (Title XLIII, Chapter 751) provisions.
The State of Florida has replaced custody arrangements and no longer recognizes the term “custody.” What used to be termed “custody” is now called “time-sharing” and “parental responsibility.”
Time-sharing describes the legal guardian status, residency, and care taking responsibilities for the children. In most cases, parents share the responsibility and are awarded “shared parental responsibility” and “time-sharing” with their children.
The court will order a “time-sharing schedule” that is in the best interests of the children, while taking into consideration Florida Statutes on the Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time Sharing (Title VI Civil Practice and Procedure Chapter 61.13 Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-Sharing).
If you want to know more about child custody, call Fulmer Law, PA. for a consultation. Even if you do not hire Mr. Fulmer to represent you, the legal advice he will provide during your consultation will give you an idea of what you are up against and help you plan for the future.
The answer to this question depends on how full custody is defined. Based on the hundreds of cases we have conducted, most parents refer to “full custody” as the ability to make one-sided decisions on major parenting issues, as well as, the ability to control when and where the other parent will have visitation with their child.
Florida courts will not allow a complete sever of the other parents’ right to see their child, have overnight visits with their child, or have a relationship with their child. Typically, parents share time and have either “equal time sharing” or “majority time sharing” with their children.
It is difficult, but not unheard-of, for a parent to be awarded full or sole custody of a child. In extreme cases, in which a parent suffers from severe and untreated mental health disorders, is actively addicted to drugs/alcohol, and/or in situations where violent acts are committed against the other parent, or child it is possible to be awarded 100% parental responsibility.
First, you will need a superb child custody attorney who believes and supports you. Your family lawyer will help you gather detailed documentation to share your compelling story with a court of law. Fighting for full custody of a child can be an arduous battle. However, when the other parent is unstable, unreliable, on drugs, or simply dangerous, full custody may be the only viable option.
It is important to prioritize your desires and have realistic expectations when petitioning for full custody. At Fulmer Law, PA, it’s our job to help you gather evidence and convince the judge why the other parent is a danger to their child, based on weighing the factors described in Florida Statute 61.13.
If you want to know more about child custody, call Fulmer Law, PA. for a consultation. Even if you do not hire Mr. Fulmer to represent you, the legal advice he/she will provide during your consultation will give you an idea of what you are up against and help you plan for the future.
Florida requires parents to attend mediation when dissolution of marriage involves child custody decisions. The goal of mediation is to help parents discuss issues in order to reach an agreement on custody and visitation. This mandatory mediation is designed to hopefully save children from controversial legal battles that last for months on end.
When preparing for child custody mediation, it is imperative to bring documentation of your claims. Our legal team at Fulmer Law, P.A. will assist you in gathering evidence and detailed financial information to support your case. If an agreement cannot be reached, the mediator will make recommendations to the court based on the information presented in the mediation session, from the parents and occasionally the minor children.
Recommendations of the mediator often set the tone and create momentum that can influence the parental responsibility and time-sharing decisions of the Court. It is unlikely that repeated changes to the custody arrangements will be made, as the Court encourages a stable and consistent environment for the children.
Call Fulmer Law, P.A. today and get prepared for your child custody mediation. Never go into mediation without preparation and solid documentation that furthers your case for what you believe is in the best interests of your children.
Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. Gather evidence, read the law, and adhere to the rules. The family lawyers and support staff hired to represent you must be primed and ready when it comes to your case. Many lawyers we have faced in the courtroom show up unprepared, giving Fulmer Law, PA an advantage to win your child custody case.
Be actively involved in your children’s lives. This includes their education, medical and healthcare needs, as well as their extracurricular activities. Encourage and promote the child’s relationship with the other parent and be flexible with time-sharing. Be sure to have the necessities needed to care for the child in your home. This includes proper sleeping accommodations, childproofing the home, age-appropriate furniture in their bedrooms, and developmentally appropriate toys and games. It is important to develop a loving and nurturing routine with your children when time-sharing, with regards to play time, homework, meals, and bedtime routines.
If you would like to spend more time with your child, call Fulmer Law, P.A. for a consultation today!
Under Florida law, typically both parents share parental responsibility for their kids. If they can’t agree, a judge will decide what is in the best interests of the children. When going through a divorce, it is imperative that each parent seek help from a highly qualified and experienced family lawyer to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.
If you want to know more about child custody, call Fulmer Law, PA. for a consultation. Even if you do not hire Mr. Fulmer to represent you, the legal advice he/she will provide during your consultation will give you an idea of what you are up against and help you plan for the future.
Visitation is now called time-sharing in the court system. In order to have “time-sharing” with children, parents have to agree on a parenting plan with a time-sharing schedule on their own, through mediation, or by a judge.
If an agreement cannot be made between both parties, a parent can then file a motion and set it for a hearing. Mediation is mandatory, and if it fails then a judge will determine the parenting plan time-sharing schedule.
If you need to know more information or take action to see your child(ren), call Fulmer Law, PA. for a consultation. Even if you do not hire Mr. Fulmer to represent you, the legal advice he/she will provide during your consultation will give you an idea of what you are up against and help you plan for the future.
Legal guardianship is when an adult has legal decision-making authority over a minor or another person. The courts will appoint a surrogate decision-maker to make personal and/or financial decisions for a minor or an adult with physical or mental disabilities. Once adjudication is complete, the subject of the guardianship is called a “ward.”
Under Florida law, the court must appoint a guardian for minors in circumstances where both parents die or become incapacitated. Guardianship is only warranted when no other less restrictive alternative, including durable power of attorney (POA), trust, health care proxy, or other form of directive can be found by the court as appropriate. Both voluntary and involuntary guardianships can be petitioned for appointment under Title XLIII Domestic Relations Chapter 744 Guardianship of the Florida Statutes.
If you want to know more about legal guardianship, call Fulmer Law, PA. for a consultation. Even if you do not hire Mr. Fulmer to represent you, the legal advice he/she will provide during your consultation will give you an idea of what you are up against and help you plan for the future.
