How Do Timesharing Parenting Plans Work Under Florida Law?

If you’re going through a separation or divorce in Tampa, FL, it’s always in your best interest to create a parenting plan that works for your family rather than leave things up to the court. A timesharing parenting plans attorney can make this process smoother by explaining your rights and responsibilities under Florida law and helping you craft a plan the courts will find acceptable.

Timesharing Plans Under Florida Law

Florida law spells out exactly what must go into every approved parenting plan, and it’s extensive. Your plan has to describe in detail how you and the other parent are going to split all the everyday tasks of your children’s lives. There must be a specific timesharing schedule that lays out exactly when the child will be with each parent not only on regular weekdays but also on the weekends, holidays, at school breaks, and through the summer.

Your plan must also name who is going to handle the healthcare decisions and school registration, how extracurricular activities will be dealt with, how the parents will communicate, and also list safe and agreed-upon places for exchanges. If you and the other parent can’t agree on all these details, then the court will create a plan for you, and the main concern of the court will not be what best works for you but what’s in the best interests of your child.

Of course, you want what’s best for your child as well, but you know your child and your own family situation better than the court ever can. This means you and the child’s other parent can usually come up with a better plan, if you’re able to get along well enough to craft it, and if you understand what the courts are looking for as you present your plan. Your lawyer will be an enormous help with both those things.

The Court’s Assumptions

The court approaches parenting time assuming that it’s in the child’s best interest to spend equal amounts of time with both parents. If that’s not what’s best for your child, you will need to overcome that presumption with evidence. The court will consider all the factors required by Florida law. These are quite comprehensive and include things like how well each of the parents can meet the child’s day-to-day needs, any history of domestic violence, the child’s school and community ties, and the mental and physical health of everyone involved.

It’s also common for the court to order mediation. If mediation fails, there will be a final hearing where you and the other parent can present your evidence about what you believe is in your child’s best interest, but the judge will issue the final order, and that will become binding on you both.

Talk to a Timesharing Parenting Plans Attorney

Things go most smoothly when you have professional help in drafting, negotiating, and defending your plan. Whatever your situation, contact HD Law Partners in Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, or Fort Myers, FL today to set up a consultation.

Tags: Divorce, tampa lawyers, time sharing
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