Five Tips For Negotiating A Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plan
A parenting plan dictates the rights and responsibilities of each party when couples separate or get a divorce and children are involved. Negotiating a parenting plan is not easy, but it is intended to benefit everyone involved. Our Fort Lauderdale child-sharing lawyer explains what is included in a parenting plan and offers five tips that can help during negotiations.
Your Rights Regarding Parenting Plans In Fort Lauderdale
In cases where parents get divorced or are unmarried but not living together, the Florida Statutes generally encourage child time-sharing arrangements. These are generally considered in the best interest of children and allow both parties to remain active and involved in their lives.
Parenting plans are used by the court and dictate each party’s rights and responsibilities. Issues to address when creating a parenting plan in Fort Lauderdale include:
- The amount of time the child spends at each parent’s home during the week;
- Rights to visits on weekends, holidays, birthdays, and school breaks;
- Transportation arrangements;
- Legal authority in making important decisions that impact their child, such as religious upbringing, medical care, and education.
Negotiating a Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plan
While your relationship with the other parent did not work out, they still play a major role in your child’s life. Creating a joint parenting plan is generally in your child’s best interests, provided there are no issues that could put them at risk.
In making a Fort Lauderdale parenting plan, the court is likely to encourage negotiations or mediation. This allows for more customized arrangements based on the facts in the case rather than having a judge decide based on state laws.
Once a parenting plan is put in place, Family Wizard is one of many tools available to parents to help with communications and scheduling. They offer these tips for negotiating a plan that works for both you and your child:
- Come prepared: Have an experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer explain how the law applies in your specific case and identify important issues that need to be addressed.
- Keep your composure: Your relationship with the other party may have ended on bad terms, but it is important to maintain your composure and work together for the sake of your child.
- Be willing to negotiate: Identify what is most important and realize you may need to make allowances in certain areas.
- Be open to different ideas. Avoid getting caught up in outdated notions of how things ‘should’ be and work with what you have.
- Expect the unexpected: Realize that unexpected events happen. Make alternate arrangements while also acknowledging that failure to stick with the plan could result in a return to court.
Request A Consultation With Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time Sharing Lawyer Today
When it comes to protecting your rights and the well-being of your child, get the experienced legal representation you need from Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto. Give us a call or contact us online and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html
flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms/Parenting-Plan-12.995-Forms-A-C/Parenting-Plan
ourfamilywizard.com/blog/5-helpful-tips-negotiating-parenting-plan
