Everyone genuinely believes they know what's best for their children. Most of the time, that's true. But sometimes, separated parents make children's decisions based on their own personal interests and desires. At other times, two warring parents make such decisions based on their animosity toward the other parent. And at other times, the parents simply cannot agree on what's in their children's best interests. So, who's right? Who's wrong? Who decides?



It is the court's responsibility to ensure that the best interests of the children are promoted and protected, even if both parents are in agreement otherwise. Florida law is undisputed that the court's responsibility to the children cannot be abdicated to any parent, or any expert. That means that a court is not bound by any agreement between parents, nor by the opinions of any expert.

So in all matters related to or affecting the children, whether it be child support, custody, visitation, or parental rights and responsibilities, the best interests of the children must be independently determined by the court. The children's best interests are the polestar guiding light directing the legal system's approach in these matters.