Alcohol Addiction And Timesharing Decisions
In Florida, courts are required to make a child’s best interest the primary consideration when making timesharing decisions. This means that when making timesharing decisions, Florida courts must strive to ensure that a child’s health, safety, and welfare come first. Among the many things that a Florida court can consider when making timesharing decisions is alcohol use. While casual and occasional use of alcohol might not influence timesharing decisions, an ongoing addiction to alcohol can. If a parent can prove that the other parent is addicted to alcohol and that it is in the child’s best interest not to spend time with the addicted parent, it may affect timesharing decisions.
Alcohol Use and Timesharing Decisions
Alcohol use is a huge problem, and parents often lose timesharing rights because of alcohol addiction. However, before the court can take away a parent’s timesharing rights, it must be persuaded that alcohol addiction exists. It must be convinced that the abuse is so bad and toxic that it could harm the child’s safety and welfare beyond repair. Suppose a parent claims their child’s other parent is addicted to alcohol, but the accused parent denies the accusations. In such a case, the accusing parent must find ways to prove the other parent’s addiction.
So, how can you prove that your child’s other parent is an alcoholic? You can prove that your child’s other parent is an alcoholic in several ways. For instance, if you note down all instances of the other parent abusing alcohol, you can use such documentation as evidence. You can also use statements from other people to prove your child’s other parent is addicted to alcohol. Additionally, if, for instance, your child’s other parent has been convicted of drunk driving, you can use such a conviction as evidence. A qualified attorney can help you prove that your child’s other parent is an alcoholic and that it is not in your child’s best interest to spend time with the alcoholic parent.
All that said, it is crucial to note that just because a parent has an alcohol problem does not mean they cannot be allowed to spend time with their child. A judge could allow a parent with an alcohol problem to spend time with their child, with conditions attached. For example, the court can allow a parent to spend time with their child if they refrain from drinking during the period they are with their child. A judge could also allow a parent to spend time with their child if they are supervised.
Testing for Alcohol
When a parent alleges that their child’s other parent is addicted to alcohol and the other parent denies the allegations, the court can order alcohol testing depending on the evidence presented. One type of test that the court can order is the EtG (ethyl glucuronide) test. The EtG test is used to detect the presence of the intoxicating agent in alcohol in the urine, hair, blood, or nails.
Contact an Orlando Family Lawyer
Are you in the middle of a timesharing case and need help proving your child’s other parent is addicted to alcohol, and it is not in your child’s best interest to spend time with them? Contact an Orlando family lawyer at the Arwani Law Firm.
