As of Jan. 1, 2018, the Florida Child Support Program implements parenting time plans for any parents with children below the age of 18. The Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan is a standard plan that may be utilized (as well as other variations). The plan must be agreed upon and signed by both parents and the judge. The plan is then filed with the court and becomes an official court ordered document. Any alterations to the plan can only be made in the court. The goal of a plan is to outline the exact ways in which you and the other parent will provide care for your child.
A parenting time plan requires parents to agree upon shared parental responsibilities that are not specifically related to actual time-sharing duties. Instead, a parenting time plan hinges upon agreed decision making. The court will order shared parental responsibility unless it is proved not be in the best interest of the child.
If the parents are unable to agree upon a parenting time plan at the time the administrative order is either established or modified, then the plan will not be included in the child support order. Rather, the Child Support Program will enact a Petition to Establish a Parenting Time Plan to each parent. This petition may be filed by either parent in court.
Contact one of our time sharing and parenting plan attorneys in Gainesville, FL for assistance filing or completing a plan.
What Needs To Be Included On A Parenting Time Plan Checklist?
Our family law and child custody attorneys have compiled a detailed list of all issues that warrant attention when drafting a parenting time plan. The plan must display the daily plans and responsibilities pertaining to child rearing that are to be carried out by both parents. Under Florida Statute § 61.13, the following must be provided in adequate detail:
- Time-sharing arrangement
- Which parent is responsible for health care
- Which parent is responsible for school or extracurricular activities
- Which parent’s address will be used for school zoning
- Methods and technologies used for parent and child communication
- Payment responsibilities and scheduling of daycare or afterschool care
- School year schedule
- Holidays (consider all school, religious, federal and familial holidays)
- School breaks (spring, summer and winter break)
- Transportation responsibilities
What Is A Parenting Coordination Program?
The court will appoint a coordinator to your case if you and the other parent are unable to reach an agreement on the parenting plan. The parents will be required to pay a retainer fee and hourly rate for the use of the coordinator. The coordinator will provide education and mediation assistance. A judge will be responsible for deciding if one or both parents will be required to pay for the coordinator fees. Note that if the parents are unable to pay for the coordinator fee, the coordinator will not be appointed unless public funds are available.
How Can A Family Law Attorney Help?
Creating a parenting time plan is not always an achievable task. Parents who are divorcing, separating or dealing with a child custody case may not be able to reach agreements. For unparalleled family law knowledge and advice, it is best to retain an attorney. Your attorney will advocate for the best interest of your child. Also, a parenting plan lawyer will help determine the plan type that is best for both parents and your child’s well-being. Through the entirety of drafting the plan, your family law attorney will ensure that a fair and balanced distribution of parental duties is achieved between parents. For experienced legal advice you can trust, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
