In 2004, the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar undertook the task of investigating the merit of revamping the custody statutes in Florida. The label system of primary and secondary residential parent was causing much costly litigation. After two years and hundreds of hours of volunteer time, the Family Law Section approved what became known as the 2007 Parenting Bill. Unfortunately, the bill did not make it off the ground in 2007, but was revived again and presented in 2008. Thanks to the hard work of Representative Jim Frishe (R-District 54) and Senator Evelyn Lynn (R-District 7), the bill was made Florida law effective October 1, 2008. Numerous changes were made to Ch. 61 of the Florida Statutes, as well as many other chapters, as a result of the nomenclature changes of the revised statute discussed herein. However, the substantive changes to the law are evidenced through the expansion of the factors the court must consider in determining the future of minor children when their parents' relationship fails. Was There a Need for a Change?
