A divorce is hard on a family. The well-being of your children is subject to turmoil during this difficult time. When you have children, it is important to put aside the differences you and your spouse have to ensure that you co-parent agreeably.
When you find yourself in the middle of a divorce, it is important to think about your parenting plan with your spouse to enable your children thrive under new circumstances. The court may grant, approve or modify your parenting plan.
Parenting plan requirements
The Florida statute outlines minimum requirements that a parenting plan approved by the court must meet.
The parenting plan needs to describe how the parents will share daily responsibilities associated with raising the child. It must have the time-sharing schedule arrangements dictating how much time the child spends with each parent. Also, it must note who is responsible for school matters, health care, and other activities. Lastly, the parenting plan should describe how the parents will communicate with the child.
The court determines the time-sharing and parenting matters in the best interest of each minor child. The parenting plan is subject to modification if sudden changes arise in the circumstances of one of the parents.
Staying civil during meetings for a parenting plan
Contesting custody is costly and very painful for everyone involved. Sometimes by the end of a grueling case, no one is happy with the court’s decisions. It is important to resolve disputes so that you and your spouse can have a reasonable agreement where the children do not suffer.
Keep your children at the center of the discussion. Ensure that the conversation involves what you and your spouse need from one another to support your children.
Talk about your goals and outcomes as parents. Your family is changing how it looks, and it does not have to be for the worse. Laying out what each of you wants to happen is a great way to begin making a parenting plan.
Co-parenting is a challenge, but ensuring the children have a stable life takes a backseat to your feelings. Coming up with a parenting plan that allows the children to have a relationship with both parents in the main goal.
