Chapter 2: Getting Started: Creating A Parenting Plan That Works For Your Family

The First Steps To Creating A Parenting Plan

The first steps in creating a parenting plan in Florida can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Generally speaking, though, the process will begin with these steps:

Consulting An Attorney

Speak with an attorney who specializes in family law. During this consultation, you’ll discuss your situation, your goals, and what an ideal parenting plan would look like for you and your children.

Your attorney will provide you with guidance on the legal requirements and help you understand what needs to be included in the parenting plan.

Gathering Information

Collect information that will be relevant to creating the parenting plan. This includes details about your child’s needs, your schedule, their other parent’s schedule, and any other factors that will impact the time-sharing arrangement and parental responsibilities.

Initial Discussions

If possible, start having discussions with the other parent about the parenting plan. This can help identify areas of agreement and areas where there might be disputes. Open communication can often lead to more amicable agreements.

Mediation Preparation

In many cases, the next step is preparing for mediation. Mediation is a process where both parents, and their respective attorneys, meet with a neutral third party (the mediator) to try and agree on the substance and terms of the parenting plan. 

Before mediation, work with your attorney to outline your priorities and preferred arrangements. This preparation helps in negotiating effectively during mediation.

Mediation Session

During mediation, both parents, with the assistance of the mediator and their attorneys, will work towards reaching a mutually agreeable parenting plan. The goal is to resolve as many issues as possible without going to court.

If an agreement is reached, the mediator may help draft the parenting plan, which can then be submitted to the court for approval.

Court Involvement

If mediation is unsuccessful and you cannot reach an agreement, the next step may be to file a motion for temporary relief and have the matter heard by a judge.

The court will then hold hearings to make determinations regarding the parenting plan. Both parents will present their cases, and the judge will issue a ruling based on the best interests of the child.

Information To Include In A Parenting Plan

A comprehensive parenting plan should address various aspects of your children’s care and your responsibilities. 

Here are some essential components you should include:

Time-Sharing Schedule

Be sure to include detailed information about the weekly time-sharing schedule, including where your child will be on weekdays and weekends. Within this, include specific details on where and when your child will be exchanged between parents, including the locations and times.

Holiday And Vacation Schedule

Your plan will also need to cover how holidays will be divided between the parents, including major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and others. It’s best to include provisions for vacation time, including how much notice must be given and how vacation time will be allocated.

Communication

A good parenting plan will also include guidelines on how and when parents can communicate with the child, whether it be via phone or video call. If necessary, you may also want to outline what methods to use to communicate with your co-parent, be it email or parenting apps like Our Family Wizard or Talking Parents. 

Parental Responsibility Decisions

Be sure to cover how decisions regarding your child’s education, health care, and general welfare will be made. These include participation in extracurricular activities, who will be responsible for transporting the child to these activities, and how the associated costs will be divided between you and your co-parent.

Travel And Relocation

Include guidelines for obtaining permission to travel out of state or internationally with the children.

Dispute Resolution

Vitally important, you’ll need to include a structure for resolving disputes pertaining to the parenting plan, including how modifications to the parenting plan can be proposed and handled.

Health And Medical Care

Your plan should cover how decisions regarding your child’s medical care will be made, including routine check-ups and emergency medical decisions. Extend this to include details about health insurance coverage and how medical expenses not covered by insurance will be paid for.

Education

Think through things such as how you will access your child’s school records and report cards, as well as attending parent-teacher conferences and other school-related activities.

Other Considerations

• • • Any agreements regarding the religious upbringing of the children.
    • Provisions for any special needs or accommodations required by the children.
    • Any other specific agreements tailored to the family’s unique circumstances.

Florida family law attorney Mireya Lacayo has extensive experience in family law, specializing in creating effective parenting plans tailored to each family's unique needs. Having helped numerous clients navigate the complexities of co-parenting, Mireya understands the importance of a well-crafted plan in fostering healthy relationships and stability for children. Her compassionate and strategic approach ensures that your parenting plan serves the best interests of your family.

Contact The Family Law Firm Of Tampa Bay today if you’re interested in learning more about a parenting plan and how it can help you in your situation.

Exploring Time-Sharing And How It Applies To A Parenting Plan

Time-sharing refers to the arrangement in which divorced or separated parents share time with their children. It outlines the specific schedule for when the children will be with each parent and ensures that they maintain a strong relationship with both parents.

In Florida, time-sharing is a critical component of a parenting plan and can suit each family’s unique needs and schedules. In it, specific schedules are spelled out, such as one parent having Mondays and Tuesdays with their child, the other parent having Wednesdays and Thursdays, and alternating weekends. There are also many variations of time-sharing to accommodate what works best for the family. The ultimate goal is to maximize the time children spend with each parent.

Special Needs Or Medical Issues

Special needs children often require consistent routines and specific care that one parent might be better equipped to provide. As such, your parenting plan would do well to allocate more time to the parent who has the capacity and resources to meet these specific needs. This could mean primary custody or a larger share of visitation time for one parent.

Special needs children may also require detailed care plans that address various aspects of their lives, from medical treatments to educational accommodations. So, include specific provisions in the parenting plan that outline each parent’s responsibilities. This could cover:

• • Who is responsible for scheduling, attending, and following up on medical appointments.
  • Details about managing regular therapies or treatments, including who provides transportation and oversees home-based care.
  • Plans for educational needs, such as attending Individualized Education Program meetings and coordinating with teachers or specialists.
  • Clear guidelines on how to handle medical emergencies, including contact information for doctors and preferred hospitals.

Decisions regarding medical care and other special needs are crucial and sometimes even urgent. One parent might be better suited to make these decisions. Consider constructing your parenting plan to allow for this, specifying that they have ultimate decision-making authority for medical or special needs issues. For example, a parent with a healthcare background might be given this authority, ensuring decisions are made by someone knowledgeable about the child’s condition.

Preparing For Court Hearings

Preparation for court hearings related to your parenting plan requires thorough cooperation and strategic planning with your attorney. 

Here are the steps you should take to ensure you are well-prepared:

Frequent Consultations

Have numerous conversations with your attorney about your proposed parenting plan. These discussions will help clarify your position and ensure your attorney understands all the nuances of your case.

Drafting The Parenting Plan

Work with your attorney to draft a proposed parenting plan. This document should outline custody arrangements, visitation schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and other pertinent details regarding your child’s upbringing.

Rationale For Your Plan

Be prepared to explain why your proposed parenting plan is in the best interest of your child. This involves comparing your plan to the other party’s proposal and highlighting the advantages and benefits of your approach.

Gathering Evidence

Collect any evidence that supports your proposed plan. This might include school records, medical records, communication logs, and any other documents that demonstrate your involvement and the positive impact of your proposed arrangements on your child’s well-being.

Understand The Law

Familiarize yourself with relevant laws and regulations regarding child custody and parenting plans in your jurisdiction. Your attorney will guide you through this, but having a basic understanding can help you feel more confident and informed.

For more information on Creating A Parenting Plan That Works For Your Family, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (813) 519-5919 today.