Largo Parenting Plan Lawyer
A parenting plan is a legal agreement between two separated parents about how to raise their child, where the child lives, who the child spends time with and how that time is divided, how transportation will be provided between the two parents’ homes, and more. Essentially, a parenting plan is designed to minimize conflict and keep the child on a routine schedule, both of which are in the child’s best interests for mental wellbeing, development, education, and overall happiness. There are many aspects to a parenting plan, and parents can quickly become overwhelmed by this complex and often stressful process. A Largo parenting plan lawyer will help you negotiate with the other parent, discuss feasible options, and work towards goals in your interest so that you can care for your child in the best way possible.
What if One Parent Violates the Parenting Plan?
A new law went into effect at the beginning of 2018 that makes it easier for parents to take the other to circuit court when one does not abide by the law, according to the Florida Senate. Instead of having to file a petition when one parent violates the parenting plan, now the other parent can take more direct and swift action. After it has been deemed that the parent did not adhere to the plan, a court can take various actions, such as reducing their visitation or custody rights.
Time Sharing
Time sharing is beyond a doubt the most important, and most argued over, part of a parenting plan. The time sharing agreement of a parenting plan determines where the child sleeps on which days of the week, how vacations and holidays will be divided, and other issues revolving around the child’s home schedule. When discussing a time sharing plan with the other parent, do not forget to think about what your child may want (if old enough to have a concerted opinion) as well. After all, children typically do best when they spend equal time with both parents. In fact, a recent study found that half of children wanted to spend more time with their noncustodial father than their time sharing plan allowed for, according to the American Psychological Association.
Other Parenting Plan Criteria
A parenting plan answers all of the following questions, and sometimes more depending on the circumstances:
- How will expenses will be divided?
- What sports or extracurricular activities will the child participate in;
- What school will the child attend?
- How will disputes between the parents be resolved?
- What disciplinary actions should be used when the child acts out, gets in fights, or refuses to do their chores?
- How is transportation to and from activities, school, and the two homes going to work?
- What religion, if any, will the child will be brought up with?
A Largo Parenting Plan Lawyer Can Help You Today
When you and the other parent are unable to come to an agreement about a parenting plan, the matter must be resolved in court. This is not the outcome that you want unless all other options have been exhausted, as having a decision made by a judge is less predictable than compromising with the other parent. Our attorneys are both expert litigators as well as accomplished when it comes to compromising and reasoning with the other party outside of the courtroom to reach beneficial solutions. Call our Largo attorneys at Cairns Law, P.A. today at 727-683-1472.
