Creating Summer Parenting Plans in Fort Lauderdale: Why You Need One and Common Factors to Consider
Summer looks different for parents going through a divorce in Fort Lauderdale. School schedules give way to day camps, vacation plans, and long stretches of unstructured time that your existing parenting plan may not address.
Without clear arrangements in place, disputes can arise quickly and disrupt what should otherwise be a fun time for you and your children. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer explains what you need to know about summer parenting plans.
Why Summer Requires Its Own Planning
Section 61.13 of the Florida Statutes encourages time-sharing. It protects the rights of both parents, but the primary goal is to protect the child’s best interests.
Broward County judges evaluate a variety of factors when crafting or approving a Fort Lauderdale parenting plan, including each parent’s capacity to meet the child’s needs, the home environment, and the child’s established routines and relationships.
Unfortunately, parenting plans that work well during the school year often fall short in the summer. Common issues to address in a summer parenting plan include:
- How the summer months get divided between parents.
- Advance notice requirements for vacation travel.
- Whether either parent plans to travel out of state with the child.
- How to handle the 4th of July and other summer holidays.
- Camp and summer program enrollment, including decision-making authority and cost sharing.
In addition to changes in child time-sharing arrangements, you may need to adjust child support to account for extended summer stays or other plans.
Building a Fort Lauderdale Plan That Keeps the Peace Over the Summer Months
The last day of classes for children in the Broward County Public School system is June 6, 2026. Negotiating a parenting plan now that accounts for the summer months can help prevent potential problems and preserve the peace.
Practical factors for Fort Lauderdale families to address include:
- How to handle hurricanes and other weather emergencies.
- If your child participates in travel sports leagues or competitive programs, account for pre-scheduled tournaments and practices.
- Summer childcare costs and how they are allocated between parents.
- Back-up child care arrangements to account for unexpected situations.
- For children old enough to have preferences, building in some flexibility can reduce conflict.
- Communication protocols for parents, such as regular video calls or check-ins.
Under Florida law, a valid parenting plan must describe in adequate detail how parents will share daily tasks, time-sharing schedules, decision-making authority, and methods of communication with the child. The more thoroughly your summer plan addresses these areas, the less likely you are to end up back in court.
Making Summer Plans? Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer
Creating a summer parenting plan in Fort Lauderdale protects your children and your relationship with them during one of the most important times of the year. Don’t wait until school lets out to address gaps in your current agreement. Call Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices or contact us online today. Consult our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer to ensure this summer works smoothly for your whole family.
Sources:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/61.13
browardschools.com/calendar-e3
