Divorce is hard. But when children are involved, the process becomes infinitely more complex. In Bradenton, Florida, disputes over child custody and visitation often prove to be the most emotionally charged part of a separation. At Mulock & Stevens Law, we understand the stakes are high — not just for control, but for your child’s stability and well-being.

This guide will walk through what parents in Bradenton should know about child custody disputes during divorce, relevant Florida legal principles, common challenges, and how an experienced attorney can advocate for your rights.

Why Child Custody Battles Are Especially Tough

• Decisions about custody and visitation affect not only who cares for your child but also financial responsibilities (i.e. child support).
• When parents strongly disagree over what’s “fair,” conflicts intensify, and litigation often becomes inevitable.
• Emotions run high: fear, guilt, resentment—even anger—can cloud judgment.
• Because custody issues deeply affect children’s daily lives (school, housing, stability), courts treat them with great care.

Florida’s Custody Framework: Parental Responsibility & Time-Sharing

One important change to understand is Florida’s shift in terminology and legal approach.

• The old term “custody” has given way to parental responsibility (decision-making authority) and time-sharing (when the child lives with each parent).
• Parental responsibility covers major decisions about a child’s life (education, medical care, religion). Shared responsibility is often presumed unless one parent shows it would harm the child.
• Time-sharing defines how physical time with the child is divided (overnights, weekends, holidays).
• These are formalized via a parenting plan (written agreement). The court reviews and approves it, or imposes terms if the parents can’t agree.

What Courts Consider: The “Best Interests of the Child”

If you can’t agree with the other parent, the court will make decisions based on what’s best for the child. Florida law provides around 20 factors that judges weigh when deciding parental responsibility and time-sharing.

Some key factors include:

1. Emotional bond between child and each parent
2. Each parent’s ability to support the child’s daily needs
3. Each parent’s stability, living environment, and community ties
4. History of substance abuse, domestic violence, or neglect
5. The child’s preference (if mature enough)
6. Moral fitness, mental & physical health of parents
7. Continuity of schooling, social network, and community stability

If one parent can show that shared responsibility or extensive time-sharing would harm the child (for example, in abuse or neglect cases), courts may limit or restrict the disadvantaged parent’s decision-making or visitation.

Common Challenges in Bradenton Custody Disputes

• Relocation: If one parent wants to move more than 50 miles, special legal procedures apply. The court weighs how the move impacts the child’s environment and relationship with the other parent.
• Modification: Custody orders are not permanent. If circumstances change significantly (job moves, change in child’s needs, parental behavior), either parent may seek modification.
• Noncompliance: One parent fails to adhere to the parenting plan. You may need to enforce the order via the court.
• High conflict / lack of cooperation: Communication breakdowns, interference with parenting time, or refusal to cooperate make resolution harder and may require stronger legal intervention.
• Special needs or safety issues: If a child has medical, educational, or emotional needs, or there’s evidence of abuse, the procedures and arguments may shift significantly.

How Mulock & Stevens Law Can Help

When you're dealing with a custody dispute in Bradenton:

• We guide you in drafting or negotiating a parenting plan that protects your rights and the child’s best interest.
• We collect and present evidence (school records, mental health reports, lifestyle factors).
• If litigation is necessary, we advocate on your behalf in court to secure fair decision-making authority and time-sharing.
• We help with modifications, enforcement, relocations, and disputes downstream.
• Throughout, our focus is reducing conflict, shielding children from collateral damage, and striving for stability.

With Daphane Stevens and the Mulock & Stevens team, you’re getting a dedicated ally experienced in family law matters in Bradenton, Florida.

Take the Next Step

Custody disputes can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to face them alone. The right legal counsel can make a meaningful difference in how your case unfolds, and more importantly, how your child experiences this transition.