Father (Levi Johnston) of Bristol Palin’s Son (Tripp) Plans to Sue for Joint Custody

Alaska governor and 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was forced to admit during her campaign that her fifteen-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant. At the time the young girl and her teenage boyfriend, Levi Johnston, said they planned to marry. But they broke off their engagement earlier this year.

Now Johnston is pursuing legal action to obtain joint custody of the couple’s 10-month-old son, Tripp. He alleges that the Palin family is making it difficult for him to see his son. Sarah Palin is reportedly upset with Johnston for his upcoming appearance in Playgirl magazine. The two have had a publically strained relationship for some time. The Palin family attorney has stated publically that, according to the Palins, Johnston is always welcome to visit his son. You can read much more of the back and forth between Sarah Palin and her former potential son-in-law at Levi Johnston to Sue for Joint Custody of Son Tripp.

For unmarried or divorced parents in Florida, this case brings up some issues related to joint custody in Florida. Many Florida parents are seeking either joint custody or 50/50 rotating custody. The courts in North Florida do not really prefer this type of custody arrangement because some courts believe that the arrangement just isn’t practical for the children once they start school unless the parents live within a few miles of one another and demonstrate that they can operate as a real team. If you need help with a custody issue, please contact our firm for legal counsel.