Child Visitation Agreement

Parenting Plans & Time Sharing in Florida

Florida Child Visitation Agreement: Florida family law judges are strongly in support of carefully considered visitation agreements between divorcing couples. Judges prefer not to be involved in the details of scheduling regular visits between noncustodial parents and their children. The same goes for constructing visitation agreements with elaborate pickup and drop off arrangements trying to please both parties.

Rather, judges have stated time and again, they prefer that these details in any child visitation agreement are worked out in advance through a Parenting and Timesharing Plan; and that parents make sensible joint decisions about unforeseen details.

Florida Supreme Court approved Form 12.995(a), PARENTING PLAN is filed along with the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage whenever the divorcing couple has a child or children.

Florida Child Visitation Agreement

There are many decisions which parents must make, beginning with the first item on the form.

There is a check off box to show whether or not this parenting plan has been agreed to by both parents.

At Roman numeral IV, item 1, parents must then check off the box which shows exactly which type of parental responsibility arrangement they have chosen.

There are three choices: Shared Parental Responsibility; Shared Parental Responsibility with Decision Making Authority; and Sole Parental Responsibility.

Shared Parental Responsibility

Shared parental responsibility is the best choice for divorcing couples who are able to communicate despite their personal differences; and are willing and able to be equally involved in all parenting decisions.

This choice requires parents to negotiate, compromise, and finally come to decisions regarding their child’s healthcare, education, and every other parenting situation they encounter.

The next choice, shared parental responsibility with decision making authority, also requires the participation of both parents.

But, if the parents do not come to a child visitation agreement, one of the parents can be designated to have final authority about a specific issue.

Pre-printed on the form is “Education/Academic decisions, then a check off box for either mother or father. If, for example, one of the parents is far better educated, or feels more strongly about the positive benefits of education, then that parent might be designated to make the parenting decisions regarding education.

Likewise, there is also pre-printed on the form, Non Emergency Healthcare, followed by check off boxes for mother and father. If one of the parents is more knowledgeable about healthcare, or works in the healthcare industry, that parent may be the best choice to designate as the decision maker.

It also may be wise to designate the primary custodial parent as the decision maker for most types of decisions, when the noncustodial parent is not in regular contact; lives faraway; or is uncooperative.

Sole Parental Responsibility

The third choice, sole parental responsibility, should only be used when there is a compelling reason. Florida courts support the concept that it is usually in the best interests of the child to have relationships with both parents.

Some reasons for choosing sole parental custody are history of drug abuse, dangerous behaviors, child neglect, or child abuse. Outlined so far, are only the first fundamental choices that must be made in a parenting plan. Other choices must be made about everything from after school activities; travel; information sharing; scheduling; holidays; education; transportation; and expenses.

We suggest that each parent complete the entire form independently; then meet with the other parent and compare. Many divorcing couples find that they agree on more items than they expected.

Some parents find this technique helpful, since they can fill out the forms alone first, and then negotiate and compromise when they meet with the other parent.

Modifying Child Custody & Visitation in Florida

The Self Help Guides' Modifying Child Custody & Visitation in Florida helps you navigate the court process and procedures once you file your documents with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more.

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More Visitation Pages Florida Child Visitation Florida Child Visitation Laws Florida Child Visitation FAQs Florida Parenting Plan Modifying Florida Child Visitation FL Parenting Plan Forms Florida Shared Parenting Plan FL Supervised Parenting Plan Florida Visitation Guidelines FL Child Visitation Agreement FL "Substantial Change" Law Florida "Best Interests" Law Temporary Child Custody Forms Florida Temporary Custody Grandparent Visitation in Florida FL Grandparent Visitation Law Child Visitation Rights FAQ Child Custody Visitation FAQ Florida Form 12.905(a) Florida Form 12.983(a) Florida Legal Resources Florida Court Forms Search

Interactive Fillable Forms Most Requested Forms Form 12.905(a) Supplemental Petition to Modify Parental Responsibility, Visitation or Parenting Plan/Time-Sharing Schedule and Other Relief. DEC 2010 ($2.95) Buy Now Form 12.905(b) Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support. DEC 2010 ($2.95) Buy Now Form 12.983(a) Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now Form 12.995(a) Parenting Plan. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now Form 12.995(b) Supervised/Safety-Focused Parenting Plan. OCT 2011 ($4.95) Buy Now

Self Help Guides Modifying Child Custody, Visitation & Child Support This 70+ page guide has complete step by step instructions for completing the Florida court approved forms. The guide helps you navigate the court process and court procedures once you file with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more. Available as an e-book download. ($14.95 + tax) • Preview •

Child Visitation Resources Free Lawyer Referral Service LegalMatch's website operates 24 hours a day, and you will never be charged to use the LegalMatch service. Legal Forms Publisher U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. is the leading publisher of State Specific legal forms over the Internet. Florida State Courts Family Law Forms - Petitions Child Custody Legal Plan Save money when you need an attorney with affordable legal protection you can trust. Florida Statutes 61.13 Support of children; parenting and time-sharing; powers of court. Florida Statutes 61.13001 Parental relocation with a child. Florida Statutes 61.21 Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance authorized; contempt. Florida Statutes 751.01 Temporary custody of minor children - Purpose of act.

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