Parenting Plans & Time-Sharing

When going through a divorce or looking into the plan of care for your children when co-parenting, a family lawyer can help. Lawyers draft what is called a parenting plan.

The former practice in custody arrangements has always been to have the child(ren) in sole custody of one parent while the other has their visitation rights or time where they can see their kids. This antiquated method has been changed to what Florida law now calls timesharing, which is much more focused on a written plan for the wellbeing of the child(ren) involved.

Florida law no longer recognizes the term custody and now uses timesharing. Timesharing happens after a divorce and is the court’s ruling on when the child(ren) will spend time with each parent.

When it comes to divorce, this is one of the most contested issues. Both parents are used to seeing their child(ren) and fight hard to ensure they get as much time with them as possible.

The end result of any timeshare verdict is held in the best interest of the child. Working conditions, mental and physical health, and preference of the child are all taken into consideration.

Timeshare plans can be modified, but it is important to have a family lawyer help you come up with a strong parenting plan to begin with. Having a set plan that works can be most beneficial to the child(ren) involved.

While timesharing is the legal terminology indicating how the child(ren) will allocate their time between their parents, a parenting plan is the outline for such a schedule. A parenting plan is an outline put together by the divorcing parents. If the divorce is amicable, the process tends to be easier. But many times, this can get combative.

A family lawyer will help you draft a thorough parenting plan, which should include:

• A schedule of when each parent will spend time with the child(ren)
• The responsibilities of each parent during these times
• Rights or allowances of other family members involved, such as aunt, uncles, and grandparents
• Decision-making processes for the child(ren), such as with education, medical necessity, and so forth

As with many documents signed during the divorce proceedings, there may be need for modifications. This can also be the case with a parenting plan.

Modifications can take place with the help of a family lawyer:

• If one parent is looking to relocate
• If the child is living in harmful conditions
• One parent becomes unfit
• Needs of the child change
• The rules of the original parenting plan are not followed by one parent