Key Points to Consider When Creating a Parenting Plan

Parenting plans are required in all situations where two parents split time with children they live with at home, including divorces. A Florida divorce cannot be finalized until a parenting plan is established and approved. However, a parenting plan is more than a document stating how children will split time. Other considerations must also be addressed, such as parental responsibilities and who will bring the children to extracurricular activities. Our family law attorney in Brevard County can help you create, negotiate, and file a parenting plan for approval during your divorce. Here’s what you should consider when developing a parenting plan.

Florida Parenting Plan Requirements

The first thing to consider when making a parenting plan is meeting all the requirements mandated by Florida law:

• Delegation of daily tasks
• Time-sharing schedule
• Responsibilities regarding healthcare, school registration, and activities
• The address used for school boundary determination
• Communication preferences

In addition, recent changes to Florida law regarding time-sharing create the rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. This means that parents are expected to develop a time-sharing arrangement where each parent gets equal overnights throughout the year. For a different arrangement, you’d have to prove that equal time sharing would be detrimental or significantly harm the children. However, how this time is split is up to each family to decide.

Age of Children

The way children split time with each parent is influenced by their age and developmental stage. For instance, children younger than five may have more flexible schedules without being in school, so exchanges can happen in the middle of the day or on weeknights. On the other hand, you’ll want to consider the child’s school schedule when creating a parenting plan when the children are a little older. 

Holidays & Special Occasions

In addition to creating a standard time-sharing arrangement for most of the year, you’ll want to specify how time will be split with the children during holidays and special occasions. You may want to alternate who has the children for special holidays on even and odd years, designate specific holidays for each parent, or split up the holiday so both parents see the children every holiday. You’ll also want to note any differences in religious preferences and holiday celebrations between you and your ex. If one parent celebrates Hanukkah but the other doesn’t, you’ll want to make a plan for the children to visit the celebrating parent during those nights.

School Breaks and Summer

If you have school-aged children at home, you’ll need to develop a time-sharing plan for when the children are out of school for winter, spring, and summer breaks. You may choose to keep the standard time-sharing plan going during this time or make a specific plan just for school breaks.

Communication Preferences

Another critical aspect to put into your parenting plan is how you intend to communicate with your children during the other parent’s visitation time. Will you allow your children to video chat or text the other parent without limits while they spend time with you? Do you expect a nightly phone call from your child when they’re with the other parent? It’s essential to spell out these scenarios so everyone agrees and expectations are clear once the parenting plan is approved. 

Parental Responsibilities

The parenting plan should also be a place where you and your ex set expectations on responsibilities regarding the children. Decisions like who will pay for healthcare insurance, extracurricular activities, school tuition, and daycare should be discussed in the parenting plan. If your children attend public school, you must list an address to be used for school boundary determination. You’ll also need to specify how to handle expectations and responsibilities regarding school-related events and meetings.

Transportation

It’s wise to create a plan with your ex about who will be responsible for school drop-off, pick-up, and transportation to and from activities. Unless otherwise stated, the parent with current visitation is responsible for transportation. It’s important to clarify if stepparents can assist with transportation and support for these activities.

Exchanges

You’ll want to include guidelines for both parents when meeting to exchange the children during transition times. Will you meet your spouse halfway to get the children? Will you meet at a public place or come to someone’s home? You’ll also want to specify details regarding the exchange, including what time the exchange will take place, what will happen if a parent is late or doesn’t show, and how to handle exchanges that coincide with school drop-off and pick-up.

Stipulations for Changes

You’ll want to create a plan of action if things don’t go according to plan, like if your child gets sick when an exchange should take place, a school trip takes them away for a night, or a family vacation that cannot be altered happens during the other parent’s time.

Create a Parenting Plan with the Davies Law Firm

A detailed and specific parenting plan helps prevent misunderstandings, arguments, and disputes regarding child custody after your divorce is final. It’s important to seek the guidance of a family law attorney in Brevard County to help you create and complete your parenting plan when getting divorced in Florida. Contact our team today at 855-688-4713 for a consultation.

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