Child Custody Lawyers in Central Florida

Call (407) 800-3709 for a FREE Consultation

Fighting for What Matters Most—Your Children

When parents separate or divorce, nothing is more important than ensuring their children are protected.Custody disputes can be emotional and overwhelming, especially when parents disagree about where a child should live, how major decisions should be made, or how much time each parent should spend with their child. At the Cortes Legal Group, we understand that every family is unique. We are committed to helping parents throughout Orlando and Central Florida resolve custody matters while keeping the child's best interests at the center of every decision.

Whether you are negotiating a parenting plan, modifying an existing custody order, or preparing for litigation, our experienced child custody lawyers provide compassionate guidance and skilled legal representation. Attorney Fernanda Cortes and Attorney Randy McClean work closely with every client to understand their family's needs and develop practical legal solutions that protect both parental rights and children's well-being.

Understanding Child Custody in Florida

Florida law no longer uses the traditional term "custody, " except under certain circumstances. Instead, courts focus on “parental responsibility” and “time-sharing” arrangements that serve the child's best interests. This approach encourages both parents to remain actively involved in their child's life whenever possible.

Under Florida law, judges consider numerous factors when determining a parenting plan, including:

  • The child's emotional and developmental needs
  • Each parent's ability to provide a stable home
  • The willingness of each parent to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
  • The child's school and community involvement
  • Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse

Our legal team helps parents understand how Florida courts evaluate these factors while advocating for parenting arrangements that promote stability and security for their children.

Why You Need Experienced Child Custody Attorneys

Child custody matters often involve difficult decisions that can have lasting effects on your family. Working with knowledgeable child custody attorneys can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

At the Cortes Legal Group, we assist clients with:

  • Establishing parenting plans
  • Determining time-sharing schedules
  • Modifying existing custody orders
  • Enforcing court orders
  • Relocation requests
  • Emergency custody matters
  • Paternity-related custody issues

Every family faces different challenges, and our attorneys take the time to understand each client's goals before developing a personalized legal strategy.

Creating a Parenting Plan

Florida requires parents to develop a parenting plan outlining how they will share the responsibilities of raising their children. A parenting plan typically addresses:

  • Weekly time-sharing schedules
  • Holiday and vacation schedules
  • Transportation arrangements
  • Healthcare decisions
  • Educational decisions
  • Communication between parents and children

While many parents can reach agreements through negotiation or mediation, others require court intervention. Regardless of your situation, our lawyers for child custody are prepared to guide you every step of the way.

Protecting Your Parental Rights

One of the most important aspects of any custody case is protecting your relationship with your child. Our legal team works tirelessly to preserve meaningful parent-child relationships whenever possible.

Whether you are seeking equal time-sharing or addressing concerns about the other parent's ability to care for your child, our experienced child custody lawyers provide honest advice and strong advocacy tailored to your family's unique circumstances.

When disputes arise, Attorney Fernanda Cortes and Attorney Randy McClean work diligently to negotiate fair resolutions while remaining fully prepared to represent your interests in court if necessary.

How a Child Custody & Visitation Lawyer Can Help

A skilled child custody & visitation or time-sharing lawyer does much more than represent clients in court.

Our firm helps families:

  • Understand Florida custody laws
  • Prepare necessary court documents
  • Negotiate parenting agreements
  • Represent clients during mediation
  • Present evidence at hearings
  • Protect children's best interests throughout the legal process

Whenever possible, we encourage cooperative solutions that reduce conflict while promoting healthy co-parenting relationships. However, when litigation becomes necessary, we aggressively protect our clients' parental rights.

Custody Issues During Divorce

Many times, custody disputes arise during divorce proceedings. Working with an experienced divorce and family law attorney ensures that child-related matters are handled alongside property division, support, and other family law issues.

Divorce affects the entire family, not just the spouses. We provide compassionate legal guidance to minimize unnecessary conflict and help parents create stable, long-term parenting arrangements that benefit their children.

Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, the Cortes Legal Group remains committed to protecting your family's future through personalized legal representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can grandparents request visitation rights in Florida?

In limited circumstances, Florida law allows grandparents to seek visitation. However, these cases are subject to strict legal standards, and courts generally give significant weight to parents' constitutional rights.

Can a parenting plan be modified after it is approved?

Yes. A parenting plan may be modified if there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances and the modification is in the child's best interests.

What happens if one parent repeatedly violates the parenting plan?

The court may enforce the existing order and impose remedies, including make-up time-sharing, attorney's fees, or other appropriate sanctions, depending on the circumstances.

Does a child get to choose which parent to live with?

Florida courts may consider a mature child's reasonable preference, but no specific age automatically confers the right to make the decision. The court always focuses on the child's best interests.

What if one parent wants to move away with the child?

Relocation involving a significant distance generally requires either the other parent's consent or court approval. The court evaluates numerous factors before deciding whether relocation serves the child's best interests.

Why Families Choose the Cortes Legal Group

Choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make during a child custody case. Families throughout Orlando trust our legal team because they combine extensive legal knowledge with genuine compassion for every client they serve.

At the Cortes Legal Group, you are never treated like just another case file. We believe every family deserves personalized attention, honest communication, and dedicated legal representation. We take the time to explain your legal options, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions that protect your children and your future.

Whether your custody matter can be resolved through negotiation or requires courtroom advocacy, Attorney Fernanda Cortes and Attorney Randy McClean are committed to fighting for what matters most—your children.

Contact the Cortes Legal Group Today

If you need experienced child custody lawyers in Orlando or anywhere in Central Florida, we are here to help. Whether you are establishing a parenting plan, modifying an existing order, or resolving a complex custody dispute, we are committed to protecting your rights and your relationship with your children. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Orlando office.. Call us at (407) 491-8200. We serve all of Central Florida including Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.

Call (407) 800-3709

    We promise not to use your contact information to send any type of SPAM.