Orlando Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Attorneys

What to Consider When Creating a Parenting Plan and Time-Sharing Schedule

Florida law requires the development of a Parenting Plan in all divorce cases involving minor children. Among other things, a Parenting Plan must contain provisions regarding “time-sharing” (commonly known as custody and visitation). A time-sharing schedule includes provisions regarding when each parent will spend time with the child, how transportation and exchanges will be handled, etc. Florida courts encourage both parents to work together when making a time-sharing schedule; however, if both parents can’t come to an agreement, a schedule will be established by the court.

What to Consider in a Parenting Plan

To ensure a schedule that works for you, there are several factors you must consider when creating a time-sharing schedule.

A Time-Sharing Schedule Must:

• Be in the best interest of the child
• Give the child frequent contact with both parents
• Reasonably keep all of the children in a family together during time-sharing, if possible

A Time-Sharing Schedule Must Include:

• A daily schedule that details when the child is with each parent on weekdays and weekends
• A summer schedule that details when the child is with each parent during the summer break
• A holiday schedule that details which parent the child is with for each holiday

A Parenting Plan Must Describe:

• How each parent will share the responsibility for the daily tasks associated with raising a child
• Who will be responsible for health care, school-related and extracurricular activities, and which address will be used for school district determination and registration
• The communication methods and technologies that each parent will use to contact the child

Court-Approved Time-Sharing Schedules

There is no standard time-sharing schedule for the state of Florida, so parents are free to craft their own schedules; however, a time-sharing schedule must be in the best interest of the child. As such, any agreed-to Parenting Plan or time-sharing schedule requires court approval to ensure that it is in the child’s best interest.

Contact Our Orlando Parenting Plan Lawyers

Time-sharing disputes are commonly resolved through negotiation or mediation with the guidance of one of our skilled family law attorneys; however, in the event a Parenting Plan or time-sharing schedule cannot be agreed to, our attorneys can aggressively seek judicial resolution on your behalf. To arrange a consultation with one of our experienced Orlando parenting and timesharing attorneys, please contact The Roberts Family Law Firm today at (407) 426-6999 or fill out the contact form located on this page.