In Florida, courts no longer use the term “custody”. Instead, courts use the term “time-sharing” to reflect the time that the child spends with each parent. Simply put, the court uses its discretion to determine what is in the “best interest of the child”. In most cases, the child’s best interest is to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Historically, courts have favored mothers with regard to caring for children, however, in recent years Florida statutes have changed and do not favor one parent or the other based on gender.