Parenting Plan in Divorce
- Thomas Law Firm
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
By Lindon Assaye
When going through a divorce that involves children, most people think about what they can get from one another or how one party can inflict pain on the other party. When children are involved in the divorce, a key component of a divorce is a parenting plan. Florida law requires the creation of a written parenting plan for all children involved in a divorce.
Parenting plans address two major categories of parental rights: (1) parental responsibility and (2) time sharing. A parenting plan is a legal document that explains how the parents will share their child or children. A parenting plan orders things like: when a child spends time with each parent, how the parents will exchange the child, how to communicate with the child when the child is with the other parent, how the parents will communicate with each other, how the parents will share holidays and breaks, and any other arrangements involving the parents’ shared parenting responsibilities. The parenting plan must be developed and agreed to by the respective parents and then approved by the court. If the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court will develop a parenting plan for them.
When courts examine parenting plans, they consider very simple questions:
What is in the best interest for this child?
Will this plan allow the child to have healthy schooling and activities?
Does the child feel safe and loved?
Choices within the parenting plan must clearly show that the child’s well-being comes first.
A parenting plan benefits the child in most cases because a divorce is a time of uncertainty and big changes. A regular schedule is best for children. Children work best when they know what to expect; this helps reduce their apprehension and anxiety. A parenting plan is also beneficial when circumstances change. An efficient parenting plan can also be adjusted when the parents agree. Going back to court for small changes is not always necessary. Within a good parenting plan, parents can often work it out together.
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