Developing an agreeable parenting plan is essential to any divorce involving minor children, as it will define the amount of time each parent spends with a child following the divorce process. It will also become part of the child custody and child support agreements finalized in a Florida divorce decree. The family law attorneys at Weiner & Weiss, LLC have helped many clients in southeast Florida build and adapt to parenting plans that work for both parents and children.
In Florida, a parenting plan is required in all custody cases involving time-sharing with minor children, even when time-sharing is not in dispute. The primary consideration for a plan is whether it is in the best interests of the child, which means a court will look at all circumstances between the parents, including their historic relationship, domestic violence and any other relevant factors, when determining the appropriateness of a plan. At a minimum, a parenting plan must describe in adequate detail:
If a case involves supervised time-sharing or relocating with a minor child, special forms must be used and additional requirements must be met when developing a parenting plan.
If divorcing parents do not file an agreed parenting plan during or prior to the final divorce hearing, the court will establish a plan for the parties based on its findings. In the plan, a court can allocate parental responsibilities and time-sharing, and it is unlikely to change the terms of its plan if the parties are unhappy with the result.
At Weiner & Weiss, LLC, our goal is to give clients the best opportunities to craft parenting plans on their own, outside of court, which often results in more agreeable, workable arrangements for both parents and children. We also assist with long-distance parenting plans. When it is difficult for former spouses to agree on a plan, mediation may provide a way to reach a resolution.
If you are facing divorce and have children, please contact Weiner & Weiss, LLC for help developing a parenting plan that meets your family’s needs. We cannot overstate how important parenting plans are in Florida divorce cases involving children.