Florida Parenting Plan
Attorney Representation in Tampa, FL for over 35 years
A "Parenting Plan" is defined as a document created to:
- govern the relationship between the parties relating to the decisions that must be made regarding the minor child.
- contain a time sharing schedule for the parents and child.
- address the child's education, health care, and physical, social, and emotional well being.
- address the parties, including the parties' historic relationship, domestic violence, and other factors must be taken into consideration.
- the parenting plan shall be developed and agreed to by the parents and approved by a court or, if the parents cannot agree, established by the court at a trial on the issues presented.
Our Tampa Family Lawyer Can Help You Formulate Your Parenting Plan
Obviously, the parenting plan involves almost all major issues regarding the child or children. Some important factors to consider when formulating a plan include:
- how often each parent sees the child, i.e., the percentage or number of overnights or weekends each month each parent will have with the child
- the child's age, maturity, temperament and strength of attachment to each parent as well as any special needs of the child and parents
- the child’s relationship with siblings and friends
- the distance between the two households and transportation needs
- the flexibility of both parents’ work schedules and the child’s schedule to accommodate extended access to the child
- child care arrangements
- the ability of the parents to communicate and cooperate
- the child's and parents' cultural and religious practices
- a parent's willingness to provide adequate supervision even if the parent has not done so in the past
- a parents ability and willingness to learn basic care-giving skills such as feeding, changing and bathing a young child
- preparing a child for day-care/school or taking responsibility for helping a child with homework
- a parent’s ability to care for the child’s needs, e.g., homework on school nights
- access to the child during holidays and vacations
- the child’s attendance at school or religious services
- stability in the child’s life
The plan may also set forth a procedure that must be followed if the parties cannot agree on matters pertaining to their children. Contact a Tampa family lawyer for more information.