CREATING AND FINALIZING FAIR TIMESHARING & PARENTING PLANS
You are probably familiar with the family law concepts of “custody” and “visitation.” Florida now refers to these as timesharing and parenting plans. A family court will approve and enforce a timesharing and parenting plan as part of a divorce process and may also do so in a paternity action.
At KM Welsh, P.A., we understand the importance of helping parents develop and finalize timesharing and parenting plans which serve the needs of the children while taking into account the resources, familial devotion, and desires of the parents. Attorney Kathryn Welsh has worked with thousands of parents and children in and around Largo, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater over the last 25+ years in obtaining timesharing and parenting plans that serve the needs of all involved. She will bring the highest level of professionalism, experience, and compassion to helping you obtain the results you are seeking.
The Process for Creating a Timesharing and Parenting Plan in Florida
In Florida, parents are encouraged to develop a parenting plan to address the time each parent will spend with the child, and how the parents will make decisions regarding child-related issues such as the child’s education, religion, medical issues, and emotional needs. Putting together such a plan often proves to be one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. When parents are unable to agree on a plan, the court will often refer the parents to a parent coordinator who can help the parties work towards an agreement. If the parents are still unable to create a plan, the court must create a plan based on the best interests of the child. To assist the Court in making this determination, the court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to represent the children and report to the court regarding the children’s best interests. Ultimately, the court must approve any timesharing and parenting plan.
Our team at KM Welsh, P.A. can work with you to create a timesharing and parenting plan in a collaborative manner with the other parent or with the assistance of a mediator or parent facilitator. And if need be, we will litigate in court to obtain the timesharing and parenting plan that achieves the best possible results for you and your child.
The Importance of Establishing Paternity
When parents are not married the parties may need to establish the father’s paternity through a court proceeding before any child support or timesharing (formerly visitation) is ordered. Conversely, you may dispute a claim of paternity. In these cases, you may request a DNA test prior to litigating the issues of child support and time-sharing.
Factors a Court Will Consider in Approving a Timesharing and Parenting Plan
A family court judge will consider a number of factors when determining whether a timesharing and parenting plan is in the best interests of a child. These factors include:
* Emotional ties between parent and child;
* Ability of the parents to provide food, clothing, and medical care;
* Stability and continuity of the child’s current living situation and of the proposed home;
* Moral fitness of the parents;
* Mental and physical health of the parents;
* The child’s home, school and community record;
* The child’s preference, if based on reasonable grounds;
* Evidence of domestic violence or child abuse;
* Whether a parent has provided false information regarding domestic violence;
* Any other factor the court deems relevant.
At KM Welsh, P.A., we will work with you to develop all the relevant facts relating to the above factors, and to present your best possible case for a proposed timesharing and parenting plan, whether in settlement discussions or before a court.
Contact KM Welsh, P.A. today
If you are entering into the process of creating a timesharing and parenting plan, work with the experienced, compassionate legal team at KM Welsh, P.A. to obtain the results you desire. Call our office today at (727) 586-7088 to schedule a consultation.
