What is a parenting plan?

 

A parenting plan is a contract between two parents that gives direction on how to care for the child who has been subject to a divorce proceeding. It is a binding document established by the court and is created with the "best interest of the child" in mind. The best interest of the child means that every decision is carefully made to reflect what is proper and best for the child. The goal is to have as little disruption to the childs life as possible. A plan once developed can be modified only upon substantial material change that was not foreseeable. Florida law mandates that certain things be in a parenting plan and include:

 

§  Direction on how parents will share daily tasks associated with the upbringing ofthe child.

§  A "time sharing" schedule, which specifies the days and hoursthe child will have with each parent. This schedule can also provide who gets the child on certain holidays or on birthdays and whether these things are shared.

§  If there will be one parent responsible for the healthcare of the child or will it be shared.

§  Schooling, if the child is in public school what home address to use and how will the child get to school.

§  How will the parents communicate with each other about the child and how the parent can communicate with the child.(IE: Phone, email, text)

 

Florida's presumption is for both parents to have shared custody of their child after divorce.However, this does not mean that it will always work out to be "50/50." A parents job or other material fact may have to be considered in light of the childs needs.

 

What this means though is in order for shared custody to work you need to have a good working relationship with your spouse on behalf of the child because you will share major decisions of the childs life. Common major decisions are healthcare, religion, discipline, and schooling. If both parents are not aligned it easy to tell how problems could arise and how one can end up right back in court. A family lawyer Orlando can help you greatly in working out these details.

 

However, shared custody is only a presumption, other factors can be considered to disrupt that shared arrangement. Such as,any history of domestic abuse prior to the divorce, the ability or inability for parents to communicate, the wants of the child, or the mental stability of the parent. If the court decides on any of these factors they may offer alternatives to shared custody in the form of sole custody with all the power of decision making, or shared custody with decision making power to only one parent.

 

As always, it is best to consult a family law attorney Clermont Fl who can guide you in realizing what is the best interest for your child.

 

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