Practice Areas

South Florida Special Needs Family Law and Divorce

My Broward County family law practice serves clients whose divorce or child support matters involve children with special needs, such as autism, developmental disabilities, or cerebral palsy. I also represent clients in divorce cases where the other spouse's mental or emotional disorders can complicate child custody arrangements. For a free telephone consultation about my ability to resolve divorce and other family law issues where a child or spouse's special needs must be considered, contact the Law Offices of Peggy Cruz-Townsend in Fort Lauderdale.

Divorcing spouses with children who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities need to consider the effect of the child's special needs on child support, child visitations and custody. If the child's condition requires intensive supervision or physical accommodations in the home, the noncustodial parent might need to demonstrate a willingness and ability to make adequate provision for the child's special needs as a condition of extended sleepovers or parenting time. The noncustodial parent might also need to make child support payments that exceed certain guidelines to help ensure the ability of the parent with primary custody to provide adequate care and therapy for the child.

I have extensive experience with the negotiation and litigation of child custody and child support issues in cases where one or more children of the marriage has a condition such as autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome, or other physical or mental developmental disability.

My Fort Lauderdale family law firm also represents clients in divorce cases where one spouse or other has special needs related to a physical or mental disability. Such a condition can have an effect on support payments. Child custody and visitation issues can also be complicated by a parent's limited capacity to share custody or parenting time on conventional terms. In divorce cases involving a spouse with a severe mental or emotional condition, such as bipolar disorder, it might be necessary to obtain an injunction or restraining order to preserve the marital assets from waste or improper transfers.

In extreme cases, I can even work with you to help resolve difficult choices concerning involuntary commitment of a mentally incapacitated spouse under Florida's Baker Act.

I have served many family law clients in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida whose divorce or other legal situations have involved children or adults with disabilities or other special needs. My experience with these matters can help clarify your rights and responsibilities in these difficult cases, and I can bring insight and compassion to my work on your behalf. For more information, contact the Law Offices of Peggy Cruz-Townsend in Broward County.