Creating A Parenting Plan In Pinellas County

Going through a breakup is never easy. It is particularly challenging when children are involved. Whether you are unmarried or going through a divorce, determining each party’s rights and obligations regarding your children is a sensitive matter that takes top priority.

Florida courts generally encourage former couples to create parenting plans. Our Seminole child custody and visitation attorney explains what is involved and how to protect your rights as a parent and your child in this situation.

Pinellas County Parenting Plans Form The Basis For Child Time-Sharing 

When parents go through a divorce or are unmarried and separated from the other party, child time-sharing is generally encouraged. Under the Florida Statutes, this helps to ensure both parents continue to play an active and engaged role in the child’s life, sharing parental rights and responsibilities.

In creating these arrangements, parenting plans are typically used. They provide all the details that eventually are put into a final child time-sharing order. Areas that need to be addressed include:

• The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home during the week;
• Rights to weekends and other overnight stays;
• Plans for holidays, school breaks, birthdays, and other special occasions;
• Any vacation time or trips you want to take with your child;
• Transportation arrangements to and from each parent’s home;
• Legal authority in making decisions on behalf of the child;
• How unexpected situations or disputes should be resolved.

It is important to be thorough in creating a parenting plan in Pinellas County and to think through all the available options. Once a final child time-sharing order is in place, both parties are required to follow it and face serious legal penalties, including loss of parental rights, if they fail to do so.

Protecting Your Rights And Your Child’s Best Interests When Creating A Parenting Plan

Parenting plans are generally considered in the best interest of the child, as they encourage parents to remain active in their lives. However, when creating a parenting plan through the Hillsborough County Family Court, it is important to take certain steps to ensure your rights and your child’s best interests are protected. These include:

• Work out a parenting plan in advance with your attorney, addressing important areas;
• Be willing to be flexible and realize that you will need to negotiate;
• Keep in mind that negotiating a parenting plan is generally preferable to having the judge decide, as it allows for more personalized arrangements;
• Put aside animosity and appreciate the important role the other party plays as your child’s parent;
• Report any issues that could impact you or your child’s safety, such as abuse or drug and alcohol addiction on the part of the other parent, to your attorney immediately.

 Contact Our Pinellas County Child Time-Sharing Attorney Today 

The Reep Law Firm provides the experienced, professional legal representation you need to create a parenting plan in Pinellas County. To protect your rights and your child’s best interests, request a consultation with our Seminole child time-sharing attorney today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

mypinellasclerk.org/Home/Family