Delray Beach Family Law Blog

Florida couples may choose to end their marriage for many reasons. No matter how difficult it is to come to a decision to end a marriage, not every divorce is contemptuous; in fact, some are quite amicable. Nevertheless, even when things seem to be going smoothly, there are usually some points of disagreement between divorcing parties. In recent years, the issue of pet custody has become a common factor during a divorce.

Especially among the millennial generation, pet ownership is at an all-time high. Many pet owners spare no expense when it comes to the care of the family dog, cat or other beloved animal friend. Many modern pet owners even refer to themselves as "pet parents," holding their pet in the same loving regard as they would a child. 

It is certainly stressful when parents disagree about a parenting issue. Child custody disputes in Florida can result in contentious courtroom battles. Some parents decide to take matters into their own hands, violating a court order in favor of what they see as the greater good. When they do, they may end up facing serious criminal charges. 

Recently, a Florida woman cooked up a scheme to try to get custody of a small child. The woman falsely reported that an unknown person approached her with an infant in tow. She claimed the woman told her that she did not feel capable of caring for the child and simply gave her the baby. 

Many Florida parents may still be cleaning up the mess of costumes and candy wrappers left in the wake of another successful Halloween. Though trick-or-treating is traditionally a children's activity, responsibility falls on the parent to supervise one's children and make sure no harm comes to them as they traverse the neighborhood to collect their sugary bounty. Even if a family lives in a "safe" neighborhood, it is never a good idea to allow children to wander unattended, and as one mother recently learned, such a decision can lead to a change in child custody. 

The ordeal began when adults discovered a small boy dressed like an astronaut as the Halloween festivities came to an end in a Florida community. The boy stated that he was lost, and though he knew his address, he was unsure of how to return home. He then indicated that his mother was at home resting, and he had been out getting candy alone for several hours. 

Florida parents know how difficult it can be to raise children. Often, parents struggling with underlying issues, such as addiction may have a difficult time understanding how dangerous their choices can be for their children. On some occasions, a near-tragedy can make other family members wonder if they should take action to change child custody. 

Recently, a Florida mother was contacted by police as she waited for a friend in her car. She was not driving at the time, but her vehicle was stopped in an area that does not allow parking on the street. Police discovered a child in the vehicle, and determined that the woman was her mother.