If you are a Florida father going through a divorce, you may have questions about custody and how you can ensure you get time with your children. In the past, mothers often had primary responsibility for minor children. However, today courts prefer joint custody and parenting plans that keep dad involved with his kids. At Beverly L. Brennan, P.A., we help clients prove paternity, develop parenting plans and work to ensure the best possible outcome.
According to LiveAbout, a parenting plan is something most families have already. It is the way parents work together to raise their children. When you divorce, the primary difference is that you must formalize the parenting plan in writing. The most significant difference is the way you may need to handle everyday responsibilities and decisions based on the new living arrangements.
If you and your ex cannot agree on a plan, the court may become involved. You may each need to submit your own proposal, with the court providing a decision that seems to work best for your kids. Writing down what you can and cannot do is the best way to ensure you get time with your children. A formalized plan covers a wide range of elements:
- How many and which days you want your children living with you?
- Who has the responsibility for making major life decisions, from medical care to religious affiliation?
- Are you and your ex both attending school and social functions?
- Who is responsible for transportation when the children transfer from one parent to the other?
- What are child support payments? Who makes them and when?
It is essential for children to maintain contact with their entire family. In many cases, time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members are also part of the plan if the kids want to continue their existing relationships. If relocation for you or your spouse becomes an issue, you may need to restructure an existing plan.
Working out the issues is important for keeping child stress levels down and helping parents trying to raise their children separately. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.
