What Should Be Included In A Parenting Plan In Florida?

For many parents going through a divorce, creating a parenting plan is the most difficult part of the divorce process. Many divorcing parents do not understand what should be included in the parenting plan when negotiating one, which is why some end up creating a plan that contains unfavorable terms.

In most cases, Florida law presumes that it is in the best interests of the child when their parents have shared custody. This custody arrangement allows the child to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

Florida courts require divorcing parents to create a parenting plan, which outlines how the parties will share their parental responsibilities and custody rights when raising their kids. Parenting plans also include a timesharing schedule.

If you are in the process of creating a parenting plan with the other parent of your child, consider speaking with an attorney to get help. At Arwani Law Firm, our Orlando child custody attorney can help create an efficient parenting plan that includes all the necessary elements and provisions.

What is a Parenting Plan in Florida Custody Cases?

Upon divorce in Florida, parents can work out a parenting plan through negotiations. A parenting plan. In a nutshell, a parenting plan is a legal document that governs the custody arrangement between the parents.

Florida law requires a parenting plan in all divorce cases involving timesharing with minor children. If divorcing parents are able to negotiate a parenting plan, they still need to seek a judge’s approval. When reviewing a parenting plan, the judge will determine whether or not the document contains all necessary elements.

If the plan does not contain the necessary provisions and elements, it will not be approved by the court.

What Are the Elements of a Parenting Plan in Florida?

There are specific elements a parenting plan must contain to be approved by a judge in Florida. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13, parenting plans must include the following elements:

• A written outline detailing how the parents will share their parental duties;
• A specific timesharing arrangement detailing how much time each parent will spend with the kids and when;
• Information about how the parents will make decisions about the child’s life, including healthcare, education, and others; and
• Provisions regarding the mode and frequency of communication between the parents and the child (e.g., emails, phone calls, online communications, etc.).

In order to get a parenting plan approved by a Florida court, the parents must make sure that their plan contains all of the required elements. When negotiating a parenting plan, parents should also keep in mind that their arrangements must be in the child’s best interests.

Contact an Orlando Child Custody Attorney

If you are considering a divorce or are in the process of creating a parenting plan with your former spouse, consider speaking with an attorney to get assistance with negotiating a comprehensive plan.

Get a case review from our child custody attorney Rania Arwani, the founding attorney at Arwani Law Firm, by calling 407-254-0060.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html