Custody & Time-Sharing
In Florida, parents who are divorcing are required to present parenting plans to the court to address how they will share time with their children. Parenting plans are required in Florida divorces under ยง 409.25633, Fla. Stat. (2022). This law was amended in 2008 and requires parents to address time-sharing when they submit parenting plans. Divorcing parents can also negotiate parenting plans and time-sharing agreements with the help of an experienced divorce and custody lawyer at the law firm of PurLaw. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal responsibilities under Florida’s time-sharing and parenting plan law so that you can create a plan that is in the best interests of your children that also protects your rights.
Understanding Time-Sharing in Florida Divorce and Custody Cases
In the past, courts referred to the time a child spent with each parent as physical custody and visitation. These concepts are now included in time-sharing. Instead of making a distinction between physical custody and visitation, courts instead consider the depth and quality of the relationship each parent has with their children following a divorce.
Divorcing parents must create parenting plans that include time-sharing provisions. In most cases, the parents are encouraged to develop their parenting plans together. If the parents agree to a joint parenting plan, it can be filed with the court and will become a part of the court’s orders.
In a parenting plan, the parents can address various topics, including decisions about the child’s education, travel, religion, and medical care that were previously addressed through legal custody. Agreements about what will be addressed through time-sharing mean when each parent will be with the child.
Your time-sharing arrangement should include detailed information about pick-up and drop-off times and locations, daycare, travel times, your child’s educational needs and extracurricular activities, summer vacations, holidays, and backup plans in the event of an emergency. Everything should be spelled out, including other methods of contact between the child and each parent by email, text message, and phone. The parenting plan should include a detailed schedule for blocks of time when your child will spend time with you and their other parent, including plans for holidays, summer vacations, birthdays, and more.
If you and your child’s other parent can’t agree on a parenting plan and time-sharing arrangement, you should talk to the experienced attorneys at PurLaw. We can negotiate with the other parent to try to resolve any outstanding disputes and create a parenting plan that will work best for everyone involved. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
