Florida law typically grants custodial or visitation rights to both parents after a divorce. Therefore, if you share children with your former spouse, they will likely remain in your life until your kids reach the age of majority. Fortunately, you can create a plan that can make parenting as easy as possible.
Focus on your kids
A successful parenting plan is one that allows your children to spend their days making memories with friends and family members. Your child should spend some holidays with your ex so that they can see their grandparents or other extended family members. It may also mean that you only see your kids after school a couple of days a week because that’s all your work schedule allows for.
Minimize conflict
Ideally, you’ll work to resolve any disputes that arise in a timely and amicable manner. If necessary, you can do so with the help of a family law judge or other parties who have the ability to get past any stalemates and who have the authority to make legally binding changes to your parenting plan. Be sure to resolve disputes in a manner that protects the children emotionally.
Parenting plans may be negotiated prior to the official dissolution of your marriage. However, the plan cannot go into effect until a judge signs off on it. If you have any concerns about your existing arrangement after it becomes binding on all parties, you may express them to a judge. In some cases, the terms may be modified to preserve the child’s best interests. Changes may also be required as your child’s school or extracurricular activity schedule evolves through the years.