Under Florida law, the traditional terms “custody” and “visitation” have been replaced with parental responsibility and timesharing. The focus is on structuring an arrangement that allows each parent to remain meaningfully involved in the child’s life while ensuring consistency and emotional stability.
Parental responsibility defines the decision-making authority and obligations of each parent regarding major aspects of a child’s life. It typically includes:
Florida law favors shared parental responsibility, meaning both parents make major decisions together unless evidence shows this would harm the child’s best interest.
Timesharing refers to the actual schedule of time a child spends with each parent. This includes regular days, weekends, holidays, vacations, and special occasions. A comprehensive timesharing schedule is part of a court-approved parenting plan.
A parenting plan is a written, court-approved document that determines how parents will:
Florida law requires these plans to be detailed and clearly understandable to minimize disputes later on.
Parenting plans in Florida should include the following:
The plan must specify how parents will share responsibilities for the child’s general care, such as daily routines, discipline, and supervision.
Your plan should outline a clear schedule identifying where the child will be on:
A plan should also indicate pickup and drop-off locations and methods of communicating schedule changes.
The plan must identify how parents will handle:
Include how parents will facilitate communication when the child is with the other parent, whether through phone calls, text, or video chats.
If there are safety concerns (e.g., a history of abuse), the plan may designate safe exchange locations or supervised visitation.
Florida requires courts to evaluate multiple factors to ensure a proposed parenting plan reflects the best interests of the child. These include:
The best interests standard does not hinge on any single factor; rather, the court considers the totality of circumstances when making decisions that affect a child’s welfare.
Creating an effective parenting plan often involves the following stages:
Parents should begin by discussing their desired parenting arrangements, keeping in mind their child’s routine, school schedule, and emotional needs.
With the help of an attorney, a parenting plan is drafted to meet the legal requirements and accommodate the family’s specific circumstances.
Both parents review and revise the draft plan. Attorneys can help negotiate and fine-tune the language to avoid ambiguity.
Once agreement is reached, the plan is submitted to the court for approval. Judges generally approve plans that align with the child’s best interests.
Many Florida courts require or encourage mediation for parental responsibility and timesharing disputes. Mediation brings a neutral third party to help parents reach a mutually acceptable arrangement without the need for litigation.
Collaborative law is another alternative process where both parents and their attorneys work cooperatively to resolve disputes.
Both methods can:
A skilled family law attorney provides guidance and representation in mediation or collaborative negotiations.
Life changes—such as relocation, changes in work schedules, or changes in a child’s needs—may require modification of a parenting plan. Florida law permits modifications when there is a substantial change in circumstances and the modification is in the child’s best interest.
Parents may agree to modify the existing plan and seek court approval, or one parent may file a petition for modification.
Some situations that often require legal intervention include:
In such cases, a knowledgeable attorney can help gather evidence, advocate in mediation, or present your case in court.
Choosing a law firm with experience in parental responsibility and timesharing matters makes a meaningful difference. At Crawford Law, you receive:
Our approach combines legal expertise with empathy to help families find stability and peace of mind.
We serve clients throughout the Jacksonville area, including:
Call today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can assist you with parental responsibility, timesharing, and parenting plan matters.
Parental responsibility is the legal authority and obligation parents have to make major decisions for their child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and welfare.
Florida no longer uses the term “custody.” Timesharing refers to the schedule of shared time between parents and is evaluated based on the best interests of the child.
A parenting plan should include a detailed timesharing schedule, designation of decision-making responsibilities, communication methods with the child, and provisions for holidays, vacations, and special occasions.
Yes. Modifications are possible when there is a substantial change in circumstances and the change is in the child’s best interests.
Many Florida courts require mediation before allowing a parenting plan or timesharing issue to proceed to trial, as it encourages cooperative resolutions.
CALL (904) 422-4634 OR CLICK HERE TO SET UP YOUR 30 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION
Click here for information about Divorce
Click here for information about Uncontested Divorce
_____
Florida child custody lawyer, Florida parenting plans attorney, parental responsibility Florida, timesharing schedule Florida, Florida custody and timesharing, child custody Florida law, parenting plan Florida court, shared parental responsibility Florida, sole parental responsibility Florida, best interests of the child Florida, Florida custody modification, modify parenting plan Florida, Florida timesharing modification, relocation with child Florida, Florida parenting plan mediation, court-ordered mediation Florida custody, high-conflict parenting plan Florida, child custody attorney Jacksonville FL, parenting plan lawyer Duval County, custody attorney Clay County FL, St. Johns County parenting plan lawyer, Putnam County child custody attorney, Nassau County custody lawyer, Florida custody disputes, Florida family law parenting plans
When parents separate or divorce in Florida, issues involving children—such as parental responsibility, timesharing, and parenting plans—are among the most emotionally charged and legally complex aspects of the case. At Crawford Law, we help families throughout Northeast Florida—from Duval County to Clay County, St. Johns County, Putnam County, and Nassau County—navigate these difficult waters while protecting parental rights and prioritizing the best interests of the child.
CALL (904) 422-4634 OR CLICK HERE TO SET UP YOUR 30 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION