Child custody law in Florida does not give any preference to fathers or mothers during child custody rulings. Beginning July 1, 2023, there is a rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing is in the best interest of the child.

Florida's custody laws underwent a massive shift on July 1, 2023, with the enactment of HB 1301. The most significant change is the creation of a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing (50/50 custody) is in the best interest of the child. This means that, unless one parent can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that 50/50 custody would be detrimental to the child, the court will default to an equal split. The law also removed the requirement that a "substantial change in circumstances" must be unanticipated to warrant a modification of a parenting plan. This makes it easier for parents to request changes to their custody arrangements as their lives evolve. Additionally, the law clarifies that a parent moving to within 50 miles of the other parent can be considered a valid reason to modify the time-sharing schedule, emphasizing the state's goal of ensuring children have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.