Time-Sharing Custody In Florida

by Jan 18, 2023Article

In Florida, when a couple has minor-aged children, they must decide on a custody arrangement for their children. If they are unable to reach an agreement by themselves, the court may need to take charge of the child custody arrangement. Parental time-sharing is a crucial part of divorce, which is why it’s crucial to understand the custody laws in Florida. If your divorce involves children under the adult age, you should consult with an Orlando time-sharing attorney to evaluate your unique situation and figure out the best custody arrangement for your individual case that is optimal for you and your children. Read on to learn more about time-sharing custody in Florida.

How Parental Time-Sharing Works In Florida

The majority of states in the U.S. use the term “child custody” to refer to the arrangement regarding children between parents when they get divorced. However, the state of Florida is slightly different in that they use the term “parental time-sharing.” Florida law encourages both parents- even after a divorce- to have equal parenting time with their children. The reality is, however, that it’s not always possible for time with the children to be equally distributed between divorced parents, which is why a different time-sharing arrangement may be necessary for certain parents. 

Different Time-Sharing Schedules

Although parents going through a divorce have the option to figure out a time-sharing schedule that is customized to their unique needs and circumstances, here are some of the most common 50/50 time-sharing schedules to consider:

  • The 3-4-4-3 Schedule: One parent gets the kids for three days, and then they go to the other parent for the next four days. The following week, the schedule reverses and the parent who got three days the first week will get them for four days and vice-versa. 
  • Alternating weeks: This is a fairly straightforward and self-explanatory arrangement, with one parent spending the full week with the kids and the other parent getting the next week with them.
  • The 2-2-5-5 Schedule: The children stay with one parent for two days, and then stay with the other parent for another two days. The children then spend five days with the first parent and five days with the second parent. 

For divorced parents looking for 50/50 time-sharing schedules, these are common ways to do it. However, a 50/50 time-sharing schedule may not make sense for all parents, and a different time split like 60/40 or 80/20 may be more convenient if one of the parents travels a lot for work or has another reason why they’re unable to spend a lot of time with the children. If your situation is more complicated than 50/50 or have disputes over custody, we recommend consulting with an experienced divorce attorney to help decide on the optimal time-sharing arrangement for your circumstances. 

How Florida Courts Approve Parenting Plans

When parents are going through a divorce in Florida, they must present the courts with a parenting plan for approval. Courts require parenting plans to contain:

  • The division of parental obligations and responsibilities
  • The time-sharing schedule
  • Who will be responsible for major decisions on behalf of the kids, such as with education and healthcare
  • The communication plan between parents and children when sharing custody

Contact Us Today

Even amicable divorces may struggle with developing an appropriate time-sharing arrangement and parenting plan. Call Swickle & Associates to consult with a Florida family law attorney today.