If you are a parent in the state of Florida, you may have some preconceived notions regarding child custody and support. The following article will debunk some common myths about child custody in the state of Florida.
Myth #1 – Florida law requires parents to split parental leave equally (50/50). As of 2016, Florida no longer requires that parental leave be split evenly. Rather, Florida courts make parental leave decisions based on the best interests of the child.
What is a Florida Parenting Plan?
In custody and Florida divorces involving minor children, the court issues a parenting plan. The parenting plan describes how the parents share the responsibilities and authorities to make decisions about the children. The parenting plan should at least describe how the parents share and are responsible for the child. Also, you must indicate the time the children will spend with each parent. The plan must also establish who is responsible for medical care, school affairs, and extracurricular activities.
There is no single parent plan for all custody cases in Florida. Instead, the terms vary based on the specific facts of each case. The court will try to set a schedule that is in the best interests of the children. Some of the common timeshare plans in Florida parenting plans are:
How Does Florida Child Custody Work?
Florida, unlike most other states, does not use the term “child custody” or in other words does not have primary and secondary parenting roles for divorced (or single) parents. Instead, the child’s residency status is determined in a custody plan, which can take several forms: the parents can have equal time together (also known as “physical custody”), or one parent can have most parents. timeshare over another. In both cases, the child can live with both parents. The only question is when and how long the child will live separately with each parent.
* Parents’ willingness to compromise and flexibility in scheduling time-shares * Parents’ willingness to develop a good relationship with the child and to prioritize the child’s needs * Parents’ willingness to cooperate * Parental sharing Responsibilities * Parents’ mental and physical health * Each parent’s place of residence, whichever is most convenient for the child * How long the child has previously lived with each parent * Parents’ character and moral fitness * Parents’ knowledge and willingness to care * Parents’ ability to provide a stable and healthy environment that supports a prosperous future * Parental history or evidence of violence, drug use, neglect, or alcoholism: Florida Statute 61.13