How Military Deployment Affects Child Time-Sharing Orders In Fort Lauderdale

Serving your country should never cost you your relationship with your child. Yet for many military parents in Broward County, deployment raises urgent questions about time-sharing, parental rights, and what happens to their court order while they are away.

If you are a service member or a co-parent navigating these challenges, our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer explains your rights and how to protect what matters most.

Florida Law Has Strong Protections for Deployed Parents

Family courts support military parents. Under the Florida Statutes, there are clear procedures for handling child time-sharing if a parent is deployed. These can protect your rights, provide peace of mind, and help prevent unnecessary disruptions impacting you and your child. Key provisions include:

• Deployed parents must notify the other parent of their deployment within seven days and provide a proposed time-sharing plan.
• Both parents are encouraged to reach a written temporary time-sharing agreement before deployment begins.
• If parents cannot agree, either party can petition the court for an expedited hearing.
• If a deployment lasts more than 90 days, the deployed parent may designate a family member, stepparent, or relative by marriage to exercise time-sharing on their behalf.
• Courts can grant temporary visitation rights to a trusted non-family adult with whom the child has a close relationship.
• All temporary orders automatically end when the deployed parent returns.

Serving your country should not jeopardize your rights regarding child time-sharing. If you are facing problems with the other parent, get legal help immediately.

Staying Connected and Protecting Your Rights

Deployment should not have to mean losing touch with your child. Florida courts must consider and provide for contact between the deployed parent and child, including electronic communication by webcam, telephone, or other available means. They must permit liberal time-sharing during periods of military leave.

Federal law also provides important protections. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a deployed parent facing child time-sharing proceedings in Florida has the right to request a mandatory 90-day stay. This gives you time to respond. Take these steps now to protect your parental rights if you are a military member:

• Consult an experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer before your deployment orders take effect.
• Negotiate a temporary time-sharing agreement and make sure both parents sign it.
• Request an expedited court hearing if you and the other parent cannot reach an agreement.
• Keep detailed records of all communication about your child during deployment.

Knowing your rights and being proactive in taking action helps maintain your bond with your child and return home to a stable parenting arrangement.

Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer

Your service to this country deserves respect, and so does your role as a parent. Do not wait until deployment orders arrive to address potential disputes over child time-sharing.

At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we protect the rights of military members throughout Broward County and provide the professional legal representation needed before, during, and after deployment. Contact us today to request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer.

Sources:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/Chapter61

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2016/61.13002

justice.gov/servicemembers/servicemembers-civil-relief-act-scra