Best Interests of the Child
The best interests of the child is the standard a Florida judge uses to decide all time-sharing and parenting plan issues. Rather than favoring either parent, the court weighs a long list of statutory factors — including each parent's ability to provide a stable routine, the child's needs, the moral fitness and mental and physical health of each parent, and any history of domestic violence. Florida begins with the premise that a child benefits from frequent and continuing contact with both parents.
Last updated June 21, 2026
Legal Definition
The controlling legal standard under F.S. §61.13 governing time-sharing and parenting determinations, requiring the court to evaluate an enumerated list of factors relating to the child's welfare; as of 2023, Florida applies a rebuttable presumption that equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the child's best interests.
Example
The judge ordered a 50/50 schedule after finding it served the best interests of the child given both parents' involvement.
Related Statutes
- 61.13
Related Terms
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