Terms to Include in Your Parenting Plan
If you are going through a divorce and you share children with your spouse, you will have to divide parenting duties with your partner. It is critical that you co-parent effectively and to maintain a good working relationship with your spouse. In Florida, the law does not only encourage this, it requires it.
You and your spouse will have to take a parenting course in which you can learn effective co-parenting strategies and how to make the transition easier for your children. You will also have to submit a parenting plan to the court before your divorce is finalized. Below, our Orlando child custody and time-sharing lawyer explains what to include in your plan.
Schedules
One of the most important aspects of your parenting plan is the schedules you and your spouse will be obligated to follow. The schedules you should include are as follows:
- If you and your spouse will have equal time-sharing, outline a basic living schedule showing when your child will stay with each parent.
- Include a regular visitation schedule if you and your spouse will not have equal time-sharing.
- Determine schedules for parenting time during the holidays and special occasions, such as the child’s birthday.
- Outline transportation arrangements for extracurricular and school activities.
- Include schedules for school vacations, such as the summer months and spring break.
- Determine the protocol to follow should schedules change.
- Outline how each party will handle relocation requests.
It is important to consider all of the different events that will arise so you can include them in your parenting plan. This will help your entire family when moving forward and can prevent disputes from arising.
Other Items to Include
The schedules your family will follow will make up a significant portion of your parenting plan. However, there are also other elements to include. These are as follows:
- An inclusion regarding how to handle parties from third parties, such as a new romantic partner,
- Sleeping arrangement details,
- Instructions on how to administer medication and the medical treatment the child will receive,
- Nutritional and dietary requirements for the child,
- How decisions regarding body art and piercings will be handled,
- The preferred method of discipline,
- Curfews,
- Decisions about using the Internet and smart devices,
- The child’s participation in religious and extracurricular activities, and
- Car seat requirements.
While your marriage may not have worked out, it is still critical that you and your spouse put your differences aside so you can create a plan that is in the child’s best interests.
Our Child Custody and Time-Sharing Lawyer in Orlando Can Help with Your Plan
If you are going through a divorce involving children, it is essential that you negotiate a parenting plan with your spouse. At Anderson & Ferrin, P.A., our Orlando child custody and time-sharing lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, ensure your rights are upheld, and draft a plan the courts will accept. Call us today at 407-412-7041 or contact us online to request a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get more information.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html
