Palm Harbor Time-Sharing Lawyer

Relationship between child support and time-sharing

We have law offices in Largo, Holiday & Palm Harbor serving Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties

K. Dean Kantaras is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar

Parents often have questions about how visitation, now known as time-sharing by the state of Florida, relates to child support. Palm Harbor visitation attorneys at the Law Offices of K. Dean Kantaras, P.A. are committed to helping parents understand their rights and obligations under Florida statutes.

When time-sharing affects child support

Time-sharing may affect the amount of child support payments when both parents come close to sharing an equal number of nights with their children. Under these circumstances, the courts may reduce the support that the non-custodial parent pays based on the fact both parents share most expenses.

Can you lose time-sharing rights if you are paying child support?

Under Florida statutes, the custodial parent cannot deny time-sharing rights to the non-custodial parent based on non-payment of child support. Also, when the custodial parent refuses the non-custodial parent's right to time-sharing, the non-custodial parent cannot decide that child support payments are no longer an obligation.

The Time-sharing and Visitation Rights section of our website explains the criteria that the courts use when determining time-sharing arrangements. Overall, the courts favor children spending time with both parents because studies show it is in the child's best interests. Children who have strong relationships with both parents generally adjust and develop better than children who do not.

However, making child support payments does not protect a parent against losing parental rights through the court system. Courts may terminate time-sharing rights when a parent has a domestic violence felony, child neglect, or abuse conviction. The prevailing guideline is that courts make decisions based on the best interests of the child.

Must you continue to pay child support after losing your visitation rights?

In general, both parents must support their children financially. Courts usually do not deny time-sharing, but may limit it to supervised time-sharing when necessary for the child’s safety. Such a ruling does not alter your obligation to pay child support. However, termination of parental rights would eliminate child support.

Contact a visitation rights attorney in Palm Harbor

Find out more about your child support and visitation rights. We invite you to contact our Pinellas County family law firm at (727) 781-0000, or use our online contact form.