Are you looking for a child custody lawyer?
Child custody representation guided by nearly two decades of family law experience.
If you are worried about losing time with your child, it is important to work with a legal professional who can help safeguard that time. A child custody lawyer can help you protect that relationship and build a plan that actually works. The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers has guided parents through these decisions for years, in and out of the courtroom. Reach out before the next disagreement turns into a standoff.
Child Custody Lawyer
Custody describes two related things: where a child lives and who makes the big decisions about school, health, and upbringing. Many places now use the language of parental responsibility and timesharing rather than “custody,” but the heart of it is the same. The court’s north star is the best interest of the child, not the preference of either parent. That standard sounds simple, but it covers a lot of ground, from a child’s health and schooling to the stability of each home. Understanding how a court applies it is the first step toward a plan that lasts.
A child custody attorney helps you present your role in your child’s life clearly and credibly. We build parenting plans, gather the right evidence, and push back when the other side overreaches. Much of the work happens long before any hearing, in the steady record you build of showing up for your child. Some families reach agreement through negotiation or mediation, and that path is usually easier on everyone, especially the kids. Others need a judge to decide. Custody questions also overlap with child support matters in Tampa, because the parenting schedule feeds directly into that math.
Types of Child Custody Cases We Handle
Custody comes up in many forms, from a first parenting plan to a fight over relocation years later. We meet parents wherever they are in that process, whether the case is just starting or returning to court after years of relative calm. No two families share the same shape, so the plan has to fit yours. These are the matters we handle most often.
- Parental responsibility. This covers who makes major decisions for the child. We sort through the different types of custody so you know what shared and sole arrangements really mean. The label matters less than the practical question of who decides what, and we make those terms concrete.
- Timesharing schedules. A workable schedule is the backbone of any plan. We help parents build one and put it into a clear, enforceable parenting plan.
- Modifications. Children grow, jobs change, and parents move. When circumstances shift, we pursue and defend requests to change a custody order. Courts look for a real, lasting change before they will revisit a settled plan.
- Relocation disputes. When one parent wants to move, the stakes climb fast. We handle the arguments on both sides, for the parent leaving and the parent staying. These cases often turn on distance, motive, and the effect on the child’s routine, and they reward early preparation.
- Fathers’ rights. Fathers sometimes start a case feeling like they are behind. We help them understand what fathers should know and assert their role fully. The law does not favor one parent by default, and a strong record of involvement speaks for itself.
- Enforcement. A custody order only helps if it is followed. When one parent ignores it, we go back to court to enforce the schedule and the decision-making terms. Courts take repeated violations seriously, and a clear record of missed exchanges helps your case.
- High-conflict matters. Some cases involve safety concerns, false claims, or a parent who simply will not cooperate. We approach these with care and a clear strategy. The goal is to protect your child and your standing without adding fuel to the fire.
Why Choose The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers as my Child Custody Lawyer?
Nearly Twenty Years Centered on Families and Children
Damien McKinney has practiced family law since 2006 and founded the firm around it. He is a trained guardian ad litem and a state-certified family law mediator, both of which keep him focused on what serves the child. His work has earned a Rising Star nod from Super Lawyers every year since 2012 and a 2016 Distinction of Excellence, a recognition limited to the top five percent of attorneys in the state. He earned his law degree from Stetson University.
Stephanie Koether handles custody matters alongside him. She earned her law degree with honors from the University of Miami after her undergraduate studies at Fordham University, and she is a Family Law Section member.
Custody touches everything else in a separation, so our wider family law work gives us full context. We have helped many parents protect their time and reach parenting plans that hold up. Whether your case settles quietly or goes the distance, we prepare it as though a judge will read every page.
Areas We Serve
Serving Florida
Clearwater, FL
- Family
- Divorce
- dissolution of marriage
- child custody
- child support
- post judgment modification and enforcement
- postnuptial agreement
- prenuptial agreement
Miami, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa, FL
- Divorce
- Family
- dissolution of marriage
- Alimony
- spousal support
- annulment
- adoption
- parental rights
- custody and time sharing
- child support
- child protective services defense
- dcf false allegation
- pre and post nuptial agreement
Trinity, FL
Serving North Carolina
Ashville, NC
Black Mountain, NC
Fletcher, NC
Hendersonville, NC
Raleigh, NC
Understanding Child Custody Cases
Types of Custody and the Best Interest Standard
Custody decisions turn on the best interest of the child, and judges weigh several concrete factors to get there. Knowing them helps you focus on what the court cares about. It is less about winning points against the other parent and more about showing what genuinely works for your child.
- Legal custody. This is the authority to make major decisions, and it can be shared or held by one parent.
- Physical custody. This describes where the child lives and how time is divided between homes.
- Each parent’s role. Courts look at who has handled day-to-day care and how involved each parent has been.
- Stability. A consistent home, school, and routine carry real weight.
- The child’s needs. Health, age, and any special requirements shape what arrangement makes sense.
- Co-parenting ability. A judge considers how well each parent can communicate and share decisions without constant conflict.
What Are Important Aspects of a Child Custody Case?
A handful of factors tend to decide custody outcomes, and most of them reward steady, child-focused behavior. Judges have seen every kind of conflict, and they tend to notice which parent keeps the child at the center.
- Documentation. A record of your involvement, from school events to medical visits, speaks louder than claims.
- A realistic plan. Courts favor parents who propose a schedule that genuinely works for the child.
- Cooperation. A willingness to support the child’s bond with the other parent counts in your favor.
- Consistency. How you act during the case, in messages and exchanges, becomes part of the picture.
- Composure. Staying calm under pressure, even when you are provoked, protects your credibility with the court.
What Is The Child Custody Case Timeline?
Every family is different, but custody cases tend to follow a familiar arc. This is the general order of events.
- Filing and response. One parent opens the case, and the other responds with their position.
- Temporary orders. A court can set an interim schedule so the child has stability while the case proceeds. That early schedule often influences the final one, so it is worth getting right.
- Mediation. Many parents are required to try mediation before a judge gets involved.
- Evaluation if needed. In contested cases, a professional may assess the family and make recommendations. That assessment can carry real weight, so preparation matters when one is ordered.
- Final order. A judge approves an agreement or decides after trial, and the plan can be revisited later if life changes.
What Should You Bring to Your Child Custody Consultation?
A productive first meeting starts with the right information. You do not need everything, but a few items help us assess your situation quickly. Even rough notes are useful, since they help us see the shape of your case before we dig into specifics.
- A summary of the current schedule and how time is actually divided now.
- A record of your involvement in school, medical care, and daily routines.
- Any existing court orders related to the child.
- Notes on your concerns, including safety issues or communication breakdowns.
Expect a direct conversation about strengths and weak spots. We will tell you what a court is likely to focus on and how to position your case honestly, not just what you hope to hear. If there are problems in your history, it is far better that we hear them first than that they surface in court.
What Are Important Legal Resources for Child Custody Cases?
Custody intersects with benefits, taxes, and the broader family support system, so several public resources are worth knowing. They can help you understand the wider framework around your case. None of them decide your matter, but they fill in context that makes the legal questions clearer.
- The Internal Revenue Service explains how the custodial parent claims a child for tax purposes.
- A child may be eligible for Social Security family benefits based on a parent’s record.
- The federal child support office describes how parentage is established, which often precedes custody.
- The Office of Child Support Services outlines its role and services for parents and families.
Reach Out to The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
Your relationship with your child is worth protecting with real thought and preparation. A capable child custody lawyer can help you build a plan that fits your family and stands up if it is challenged. The McKinney Law Group Family & Divorce Lawyers is ready to listen, assess your situation, and explain your options clearly. Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the next step with a clear head.