Despite recent changes in Family law, men can still face problems in St. Petersburg Family Courts. Long-held stereotypes about men and women–cultural biases that see women as nurturers and men as aggressors, for instance–are slow to eradicate. Therefore, men going through a divorce should be sure not only that they understand their rights before going to court, but know how to assert them. The professionals at The Coleman Law Group represent fathers in most types of family court proceedings and are committed to protecting their rights in all matters relating to divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and spousal maintenance (alimony).

Strong feelings often run rampant during a divorce, especially when children are involved, making both husband and wife prone to say things and make decisions based on emotions instead of good judgment. Like women, men in these situations need an experienced, knowledgeable, compassionate family law attorney who can guide them through all the personal and financial issues at stake and help them make sensible decisions based on reason–not anger, frustration, or despair.

Historically, St. Petersburg Family Courts have awarded child custody to the mother based on the idea that it is in the child’s best interest. This is because, traditionally, the woman was considered the “homemaker” and the man the “breadwinner.” That is why it used to be pretty much assumed that women would get the house and the kids while men paid spousal maintenance and child support.

But times have changed. Most women continue to work outside the home even after they have children and the law now recognizes the important role fathers play in a child’s life. Nevertheless, courts may continue to be more sympathetic to mothers, even if they are equally or even less capable than the father.

To be assured of having an equal role in raising the children after a divorce, men must show they are committed, nurturing, and loving parents. They should go to school events, drive the kids to karate or band practice, and take them to doctor’s appointments. Just as important, they should retain experienced, dedicated, sympathetic attorneys to represent their interests and protect their rights.

In Florida, parenting plans address the issues of parental responsibility and time-sharing separately. Parental responsibility means the authority parents have to make decisions affecting the life of their minor child. This refers to everything from decisions about medical treatment to religious upbringing to which school the child attends.

Shared parental responsibility is now favored by St. Petersburg family courts. In this situation, both parents keep full parental rights and must talk with each other and agree on all decisions significantly affecting a child’s life. Whoever has custody at any given time makes routine, day-to-day decisions about the child’s care.

If a family law judge sees that the parents are unable to confer and jointly agree about the child’s care, he or she will grant ultimate decision-making authority to one parent.

While it is important for men to assert their rights, it is also important to be cooperative and reasonable. Because family courts tend to be less sympathetic toward people who are contentious or unreasonably demanding, it is a good idea to get advice from an attorney not only about one’s legal rights, but about the most productive way to go about asserting those rights.

The Coleman Law Group handles all types of difficult divorce and custody issues in St. Petersburg family courts, such as child support modifications, parental alienation, and orders of protection. Our attorneys are committed to helping men make informed, reasoned decisions about sensitive, emotionally-charged issues and to providing caring, effective legal representation throughout the court process.

If you would like an appointment with one of our experienced professionals, please call one of our Florida offices.

In St. Petersburg: 727-214-0400

In Tampa: 813-749-9981

In Land O’ Lakes: 863-877-0007

You also can visit our website at www.thecolemanlawgroup.com/

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