When you and your child’s other parent open a Florida time-sharing (custody) case, you are going to have to come up with something called a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a legal document that outlines what you and your child’s mother or father agree to when it comes to raising your child together but in separate homes. The court must approve your plan before it becomes valid.
Per the Florida Courts, you must either type your parenting plan or handwrite it using black ink. Some of the elements you may want to cover in your Florida parenting plan are as follows.
Your agreed-upon time-sharing schedule
It is advisable that you make your parenting plan as thorough as possible, particularly when discussing time-sharing. While you should outline your standard time-sharing schedule, you should also address who gets the child on birthdays, holidays, school breaks and other important dates.
Your general responsibilities
The parenting plan should also dictate what each parent handles when it comes to general child-rearing and when. For example, if one parent handles taking the child to and from extracurricular activities, state as much in the plan.
Your decision-making system
You should also address who maintains responsibility for making important decisions on your son or daughter’s behalf. For example, if you intend to confer with the other parent before making decisions about your child’s religious or academic upbringing, make sure to outline this in the agreement.
When developing the parenting plan, you and all others involved should concentrate on creating an agreement that prioritizes your child’s best interests over your own.