What Needs To Be In Your Parenting Plan During Your Florida Divorce?
In Florida, custody agreements are known as parenting plans. Parenting plans are required in divorces in which the spouses have children. These plans determine the rights and responsibilities of each parent toward the child. To be valid, a parenting plan must demonstrate that it has the best interests of the children at heart. For that reason, it must include specific elements that demonstrate to the court that the child will be sufficiently looked after and raised. In this article, the Tampa, FL divorce lawyers at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC will discuss which elements you need to include in your parenting plan so that it will be accepted by the court.
The time-sharing schedule
In Florida, a time-sharing schedule determines when the child will spend time with each parent. In Florida, there is a presumption that a 50/50 split between each parent is in the best interests of the child. The best time-sharing schedules take into account the following factors:
- They provide minimal disruptions to the child’s life
- They provide safety and protection for the child
- They keep the child away from conflict
- They help the parent-child relationship of both parents thrive
- They take into account the potential for future changes
Depending on your situation, various arrangements can work well. A good parenting plan will take into account the age of the child as well as the child’s schooling and activities. They must, of course, consider the work schedules of both parents.
The division of child-rearing tasks
Who is responsible for attending parent-teacher conferences? Which parent takes the child to their extra-curricular activities? A parenting plan must include these considerations in order to be effective. The parenting plan must detail which parent is responsible for which task.
Decision-making for the child
In Florida, legal custody is considered the right to make key decisions on behalf of the child. Florida favors shared or joint custody agreements as opposed to sole custody agreements. A parent would have to demonstrate that their co-parent is unfit to make such decisions on the child’s behalf.
Children are unable to legally make certain decisions on their own behalf. This includes decisions regarding where they go to school, what sort of medical treatment they receive, and what religious instruction they will be provided with. The parenting plan must address which parent is responsible for making these key decisions in the child’s life or whether the spouses will need to reach a consensus when it comes to making these decisions.
A way to anticipate and deal with changes
You may have your parenting plan laid out, but if you don’t include a mechanism to deal with changes, then you’re missing something key. In some cases, a parent may have to move to secure new employment or take on added duties at work. In these cases, the parenting plan will have to be changed to reflect the new normal. The best-case scenario is that the parents have a mechanism to deal with these changes in their parenting plan. If they cannot agree to a change, then a judge will have to make the decision for them.
Talk to a Tampa, FL Family Law Attorney Today
Faulkner Law Group, PLLC handles both divorce cases and child custody modifications for parents in Tampa. Call our Tampa family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.
