Tampa Parenting Plan Attorney

Parenting plans in Florida, also sometimes known as time-sharing plans, are an important tool in many divorce cases and all child custody disputes. The parenting plan determines which parent the child will live with on specific days, which parent will drop off or pick the child up from school or daycare, which parent has holiday and vacation time with the child and when, and much more. A comprehensive plan can help parents manage their time, avoid disputes, and ensure that both parents comply with the agreement. Below, our Tampa parenting plan attorney explains more.

What to Include in a Tampa Parenting Plan

Parents can agree to the terms of a parenting plan outside of the courtroom. In these instances, as long as the agreement is fair, a judge will approve it. When the parents cannot agree, the judge will make the final decision. Regardless of how a parenting plan is established, they must all include certain provisions under Florida law. These are as follows:

• The time-sharing responsibilities of each parent, including those associated with the daily upbringing of the child,
• A time-sharing schedule, which must outline detailed information about when each parent will spend time with the child,
• A provision outlining which parent is responsible for making major decisions for the child, including those regarding the child’s education, religion, and healthcare,
• The address of the parent that will be used to determine the school district for the child, as well as where they will partake in extracurricular activities, and
• The means of communication the parents will use to discuss the child’s needs, such as texting or emailing.

The Best Interests of the Child and Parenting Plans

Any decision made in child custody cases must reflect the best interests of the child, and this holds true for parenting plans, as well. Judges will consider many factors pertaining to the best interests of the child when reviewing any parenting plan. Some of these include:

• The willingness and ability of each parent to continue a close parent-child relationship, to comply with the parenting plan, and to act reasonably when changes are needed,
• The willingness and ability of each parent to consider and act in the needs of the child and not their own needs or desires,
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable, healthy environment,
• The morality of each parent,
• The physical and mental health of each parent, and
• The reasonable preference of the child, if they are of a certain age and maturity.

Our Parenting Plan Attorneys in Tampa Can Draft Your Plan

When creating a parenting plan, it is essential that it complies with state law and reflects the best interests of the child. At Florida Law Advisers, P.A., our Tampa parenting plan attorney can negotiate with the other side, draft your plan, and ensure it complies with the law. Call us now at 1 (800) 990-7763 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need today.