Bay Pines Parenting Plan Lawyer
Are you worried about your rights as a parent to your child once you separated from your spouse? A parenting plan is a document that holds an agreement between you and your spouse regarding the terms, conditions, claims, custody, etc. that you shall both have in taking care of your child. Once approved by a Florida court, you shall have opportunities and time with your son or daughter without taking them against you.
Call The Law Office of Kerya L. Koeut, P.A. at (727) 228-6200 if you want to set up a consultation within Bay Pines, FL.
Legal Definition of Parenting Plan
A parenting plan is typically a child custody plan that includes the concerns of parents about their child. Negotiated by the parents, it is submitted either along with the final decree of divorce or the marital separation agreement.
The welfare of the child is the top priority of the court. That is why Florida courts encourage parents to reach an agreement in providing care and support to their children. They will be mediating between the two parties and will even utilize counseling to help them come up with the best possible solution.
The solution provided by the court to facilitate this objective is to require a parenting plan from the parents. Furthermore, it is a form filled out by the parents to document their official statement regarding time-sharing, visitation schedules, child custody, etc. It also includes how the child will be raised despite the separation of the parents, including each of their participation in the upbringing of the child.
In this document, the parents will also eliminate the issues that may arise in every situation. Corresponding solutions included address those issues in advance. Should those issues come in the future, the court is assured that they will know what to do in such situations. A parenting plan is intended to set expectations and avoid conflicts.
Parenting Plan Considerations
A parenting plan containing the parents’ agreed plans and conditions is not valid if not approved by a Florida court. Not every future circumstance can be addressed by both parents in this document, but at least this will give them an idea or a set of guidelines in sharing the responsibility of bringing up a child.
Should there be any disagreement between both parties or between the court and the parents, it is the duty of the court to step in. They will be the ones to come up with new terms and conditions, removing the parents’ control. A parenting plan must be amicable for both parties and in the best interests of the child.
The court considers the following before approving a parenting plan in Florida:
- The ability of each parent to keep a close relationship with the child;
- The ability of each parent to determine the particular needs of the child and address those needs;
- The geographic location of each parent with respect to that of the child;
- The physical, emotional, and mental health of each parent;
- Any evidence of abandonment, maltreatment, and negligence of each parent to the child;
- The ability of each parent to provide a permanent residence and home for the child;
- The ability of each parent to provide the educational and developmental needs of the child; and
- All other facts or instances that affect the welfare of the child.
Elements of Parenting Plan
A parenting plan has to contain essential elements to be approved by the Florida supreme court. These are the following:
- A statement thoroughly explaining the division of each parent’s responsibilities and tasks that are included in the child-rearing process— necessary for the welfare of the child;
- The arrangements agreed upon regarding the time-sharing schedule, precisely stating the amount of time and the manner each parent will spend time with the child;
- The establishment of the parent who will have the ultimate responsibility, child custody, and decision-making on behalf of the child in terms of education, finances, and health care, and residence. Moreover, future activities must be laid out, indicating who decides concerning each of them as well; and
- The medium or platform to be used by each parent in communicating with the child, specifying by what means the primary contact will be: either via telephone or via the internet.
Call a Parenting Plan Lawyer Now
The details, considerations, and requirements of establishing parental rights can be quite difficult to understand and meet without legal support from a parenting plan attorney. The Law Office of Kerya L. Koeut, P.A., located in Bay Pines, is committed to helping you claim your rights as a parent of your child. If something goes wrong during the decree of divorce or agreement in a legal separation, do not hesitate to call us!
You deserve the right legal service, and you most deserve to spend time with and decide for your child.
Call The Law Office of Kerya L. Koeut, P.A. today at (727) 228-6200 for more inquiries or book a free consultation in Bay Pines now!