Florida doesn't use the word "custody" the way most people do - it uses timesharing, and the distinction matters in court. At Butash Law Group, we represent parents in initial timesharing determinations and post-judgment modifications throughout Pasco County and North Hillsborough, with direct experience in the family divisions at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City and the.
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Florida law under §61.13 requires courts to evaluate timesharing based on the best interests of the child, weighing roughly 20 enumerated factors. Equal time-sharing is not guaranteed, but Florida courts are required to consider both parents’ ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. That standard cuts both ways - and it matters more than most people realize.
Factors courts examine include:
Knowing which factors apply to your situation - and how to document them - is where legal representation makes a concrete difference. We help you build a factual record that supports your position under the statute, not just a narrative.
A significant number of the parents we work with are not going through an initial divorce. They have an existing timesharing order that no longer reflects their lives - a job relocation, a change in the other parent’s household, a school district move, or a shift in the child’s needs. Florida law allows modification of timesharing orders when there is a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances.
The legal bar for modification is real, and courts don’t grant changes simply because one parent prefers a different arrangement. But when the facts support a modification, you have a right to pursue it. We handle custody modification cases throughout Pasco County, including situations involving parental relocation, changes in work schedules, fitness concerns, and enforcement failures. If your current order isn’t working, we can assess whether you have grounds to change it.
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★★★★★ Contact Butash Law Group at (813) 341-2232 to schedule a complimentary consultation where your dispute is reviewed and your legal options are explained. This no-obligation meeting helps establish whether your matter has merit and what strategy may best protect your interests.
Every child custody matter is individually assessed based on its unique facts, applicable Florida law, and the client's goals. The firm identifies fee-recovery opportunities, evaluates litigation risk, and recommends the most advantageous pathmediation, negotiated settlement, or trial.
Where appropriate, Butash Law Group pursues pre-suit negotiation or formal mediation to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively before court proceedings begin. A timely mediated resolution can preserve business relationships and significantly reduce overall litigation expense.
If litigation proceeds, the firm actively manages all phases of discoveryincluding interrogatories, document requests, depositions, and subpoenasto build the strongest possible evidentiary record. Disputes over privilege, production scope, or non-party subpoenas are handled promptly to keep the case moving forward.
When settlement terms are inadequate or trial is in the client's best interest, Butash Law Group is fully prepared to argue the case before a judge or jury in Florida state or federal court. The firm pursues every available remedy to achieve the most favorable outcome possible for each client.
Butash Law Group serves child custody clients throughout Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas counties, including Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and Tampa. Whether your dispute arises locally or involves parties across the region, the firm provides experienced, responsive representation close to home.
Butash Law Group represents Tampa Bay clients across a full range of legal matters.
Answer: A parenting plan is a legally required document outlining how each parent shares child-rearing responsibilities, including daily care, healthcare, school functions, extracurricular activities, and communication. Florida statute (effective October 1, 2008) mandates parenting plans in all cases involving minor children.
The parenting plan serves as a binding agreement that protects children's stability and establishes clear expectations for both parents. Courts use parenting plans to ensure continuity in children's lives during the transition from one household to two, reducing ongoing disputes and providing certainty for all family members.
Helpful next step: Develop a comprehensive parenting plan that protects your child's interests while establishing clear co-parenting guidelines. Contact us
Answer: Florida courts prioritize the child's best interests, evaluating parental moral and physical health, stability of living environments, child preferences (when age-appropriate), parental ability to maintain routines, history of domestic violence, and each parent's capacity to meet developmental needs.
Courts examine the length of time a child has lived in a stable environment and the desire to maintain continuity in schooling, friendships, and community connections. The child's own stated preferences carry weight when the court determines the child possesses sufficient maturity to make an informed decision about custody arrangements.
Helpful next step: Ensure your custody arrangement reflects these legal standards by consulting with a family law attorney who understands Florida's best-interest framework. Contact us
Answer: Settlement agreements typically cost less, resolve faster, and reduce emotional stress compared to custody trials, which involve extensive court proceedings, evidence presentation, and judicial decision-making. Both parties retain control over outcomes through negotiated settlements rather than surrendering decisions to a judge.
Trial processes extend timelines significantly, requiring multiple court appearances, expert testimony, and discovery procedures that increase legal fees and expose families to prolonged uncertainty. Settlement-focused approaches allow parents to craft individualized parenting plans addressing their family's specific needs while minimizing conflict exposure for children.
Helpful next step: Explore settlement options that prioritize your child's stability while protecting your parental rights through skilled negotiation. Contact us
Answer: A child's preference regarding custody can influence court decisions when the court determines the child has reached sufficient maturity to make an informed, independent decision. Younger children's preferences carry less weight, while adolescents demonstrating reasoned judgment may significantly impact custody outcomes.
Courts conduct interviews or hearings to assess whether a child's stated preference reflects genuine personal values or results from parental influence or manipulation. The child's expressed reasons, consistency of preference, and demonstrated understanding of custody implications determine the weight courts assign to their stated choice.
Helpful next step: Understand how your child's voice factors into custody decisions by discussing age-appropriate advocacy strategies with your legal counsel. Contact us
Answer: Prior domestic violence or criminal convictions significantly influence custody decisions, as courts prioritize child safety and may restrict parental time-sharing when violence history is documented. Evidence of domestic violence creates a presumption against awarding substantial custody or unsupervised time to the violent parent.
Florida courts treat domestic violence as a critical factor in best-interest analysis, recognizing that children exposed to parental violence experience developmental harm and trauma. Documentation of prior incidents, restraining orders, convictions, or protective orders becomes central evidence in custody hearings and parenting plan modifications.
Helpful next step: Secure documentation of any domestic violence history to protect your child's safety in custody proceedings and parenting plans. Contact us
Mike grew up in the Tampa Bay area and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1997. He was immediately hired as an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, where he prosecuted everything from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. Today he uses that insider experience to defend clients across Tampa Bay. With more than three decades of practice, lead counsel in over 40 jury trials, and thousands of cases handled, Mike brings the kind of courtroom judgment that only comes from years on both sides of the aisle.
40+ jury trials as lead counsel | 30+ years practicing | Thousands of cases
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