On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
We have all heard it – women are going to get custody of the child most of the time.
But is that true, and if it is, why is that the case?
Going through divorce or separation is not easy for anyone, especially when there are younger children involved. The process can become complicated and emotional for all parties. It would be great if a divorce was uncontested and both sides could agree on joint custody arrangements, but we know that is not always the case. But will the mother always be the one to get custody?
At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we are here when you need a Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney. Today, we want to examine some studies that focus on custody and fathers so we can help you as you move forward.
Wait, Politics Here?
If we look at what Custody X Change says, “fathers are likely to receive about 35% of custody time.” It seems that it is true that mothers get custody the majority of the time, but those numbers really depend on where you are in the US. They also point out that the custody differences may have to do with the politics of individual states.
We know, the last thing anyone wants to hear about these days is politics, but the numbers need to be examined. Custody X Change says that:
- In Republican-leaning states, dads get 32.1% custody time on average.
- In Democratic-leaning states, dads get 36.6% of custody time on average.
- In “swing states,” dads get 40.2% of custody time on average.
Florida is the quintessential swing state and the numbers make sense. Dads get about 50% of the custody time here. In states around us, they do not fare so well. Dads in Georgia get custody around 24% of the time.
Other Issues Dads Face
Traditionally, dads have faced an uphill battle when it comes to custody. Why is that? Well, the court is going to examine who has been the primary caregiver for the child during the marriage. Who is the person who spends the most time with the child, bathed them, fed them, played with them, etc. Sometimes, it really is both parents, but more often than not it is the mother.
That being said, there has been a rise of stay-at-home dads as more women have joined and stayed in the workforce and more companies have encouraged more paternity leave.
The courts want to ensure that both parents stay in their child’s life if possible. That means they will examine the totality of the issues and make the best decision they can for the welfare of any children involved.
What You Can Do In Florida
We know that separation and divorce is an incredibly difficult time for all parties involved and that the situation becomes even more emotional when a couple has minor children. Everyone can agree that they want what is in the best interest of the child, but everyone may not agree with what that looks like. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we want to help. When you need a Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 954-297-6546 for a free consultation.
