How To Create a Successful Long-Distance Parenting Plan in Florida

When divorced or separated parents live far apart, maintaining regular contact with their children can be challenging. That’s where a long-distance parenting plan comes in. It ensures that children stay connected with the non-custodial parent while addressing key issues like travel and communication logistics. A well-thought-out plan can help parents stay involved in their child’s life despite the distance, especially if it clearly outlines travel arrangements and how parents remain involved. Here’s how to create an effective long-distance parenting plan for everyone involved.

What Is a Long-Distance Parenting Plan?

In Florida, divorced couples with minor children must establish a parenting plan. If one parent relocates 50 miles or more from the child’s primary residence, a long-distance parenting plan must be created, per Florida Statute 61.13001. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that the child maintains a meaningful relationship with both parents despite the distance. According to the Florida Supreme Court, at the minimum, a long-distance parenting plan should include the following:

• Responsibilities for daily child-upbringing tasks
• A time-sharing schedule detailing when the child will be with each parent
• Guidelines for making major decisions about health care, education, and other important matters
• A clear method and schedule for communication between the child and the non-custodial parent
• Transportation arrangements and how travel expenses will be handled.

When developing your long-distance parenting plan, consider the following:

• Visitation Frequency: How often will the child visit the relocating parent, or how often will the parent visit the child?
• Travel Costs: Who will cover travel expenses, and how will transportation be arranged?
• Meeting Points: Where will exchanges happen, and who will be responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups?
• Notification: How far in advance must visits be scheduled or communicated?
• Holiday Splits: How will holidays and special occasions be divided?
• Communication: What methods (calls, video chats, texts) will be used, and how often?
• Missed Time: How will make-up time be arranged for missed visits or calls?
• Sharing Information: How will parents share updates on the child’s education, health, and other matters?
• Belongings: Who provides necessary items like clothing, toys, and food during visits?
• Parental Oversight: Will the custodial parent monitor communications between the child and the other parent?
• Extra-curricular activities: Who pays the associated costs and provides transportation?
• Holiday schedules: How will holidays be managed?

When making the above decisions, consider the child’s age and maturity, as the arrangement for a toddler may differ from what would suit a teenager.

How To Work on the Plan

The best approach is to collaborate when developing the plan. This fosters mutual understanding and helps create a plan that works for everyone. If collaboration is difficult, hiring a mediator can be helpful. A mediator can be a legal professional acting as a neutral third party, guiding conversations and ensuring both sides are heard. Once an agreement is reached, the plan must be submitted to the court for approval, making it legally binding.

It’s worth remembering that if you cannot agree on a plan, the court may step in to decide based on what it believes to be the child’s best interests. Unfortunately, this could lead to one parent receiving more decision-making power, so parents should strive to reach an agreement themselves.

Contact an Orlando Divorce Lawyer Today

If you need help creating a long-distance parenting plan or modifying an existing one, contact our Orlando timesharing lawyer at the Arwani Law Firm today to guide you through the process to protect your rights and ensure your child’s best interests are met.

Source:

flcourts.gov/content/download/686033/file_pdf/995c.pdf