What is a parenting plan?

A parenting plan is an agreement between parents who are no longer living together. It outlines how they will share parenting responsibilities for their children, including who will have physical custody, who will make decisions about the child’s well-being, and how much time each parent will spend with the child. In Florida, a parenting plan is a required part of any final divorce decree. It is also common to create and agree on a parenting plan when parents are not married. The purpose of a parenting plan is to provide a clear outline for each parent’s role in the child’s life, to reduce conflict between parents, and to provide the child with continuity and a sense of security. The plan should include provisions that are consistent with the best interests of the child, including a schedule for parenting time, provisions for holidays and special days, transportation arrangements, and how decisions about the child’s well-being will be made. It should also identify the communication methods that will be used between parents, and provisions for the review and modification of the plan as needed. Parents may create a parenting plan on their own or with the help of an attorney or mediation. In Florida, if the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, they can submit their proposed plans to the court, who will then decide which plan is in the best interests of the child. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the child.

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