Breaking up a marriage will change the entire family in one way or the other. The children are forced into a battle they are too young to fight. Separating parents should try their best to avoid the courtroom by communicating with each other and safeguarding the children’s best interests. It is so important to reach a compromise on child custody, child support and visitation. That is one of the reasons the court requires a parenting plan.
What is a parenting plan?
Florida custody laws have no preference over which of the parents will have custody of the children, but the state hopes that both parents are active in the life of their children. The parenting plan should include the following details:
- Time-sharing schedule: The parents must show the court how they will share their minor children, whether every four days, weekly or every two weeks. It should be a sustainable schedule for both parents so the children can retain a sense of normalcy and constancy.
- Designation of financial responsibilities: The parents have to indicate who will be paying for the needs of their children, including all information related to health care, education and other extra-curricular activities.
- Communication: Parents must also specify how they will communicate with their children. They need to write down their methods of communication and the technologies that they will be using.
- Conflict resolution clause: It must have a provision that details how the parents can and cannot settle conflicts involving their children, including a mediator between unresolvable arguments.
The parenting plan is a comprehensive legal compromise between the parents. Therefore, both parents should develop the plan together and agree to all the terms before presenting it to court. The court must then approve it. Working with a family law attorney could help facilitate the plan development and court approval.
Coparenting for the sake of the children
With the parenting plan, co-parenting becomes so much easier. You and your ex can work together as equals to raise your children. Neither parent has a physical, emotional or psychological advantage. It becomes a more harmonious environment for raising your children.