How to Prepare for Parenting Plan Negotiations in Fort Lauderdale
A parenting plan negotiation is one of the most consequential conversations you will ever have. What gets agreed upon in those sessions determines how your children spend their time, who makes decisions about their lives, and how you and the other parent will communicate for years to come.
Walking in unprepared puts you at a real disadvantage. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale family lawyer explains key issues you’ll need to address and how to get the best possible outcome for your family.
Key Issues in Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plan Negotiations
In cases involving divorced or single parents in Florida, time-sharing arrangements are generally considered in the child’s best interests. Fort Lauderdale parents are encouraged to create a parenting plan. If parents cannot negotiate one on their own, a judge will impose one based on the facts of your case.
To ensure negotiations go smoothly and your parenting plan gets approved, you must address certain issues. Under Section 61.13 of the Florida Statutes, these include:
- Each party’s parental rights and responsibilities.
- Time-sharing schedules that cover regular weekly routines, school-year arrangements, school break coverage, and holiday and birthday schedules.
- Transportation and exchange arrangements, including who is responsible for pick-up and drop-off, and where exchanges happen.
- How parents will handle medical decisions, including routine care, emergencies, and elective procedures.
- How the parents will communicate with each other and with the child during the other parent’s time-sharing
Being aware of what a Florida parenting plan must include and entering negotiations with a written proposal, rather than general ideas, shows the court that you are serious, organized, and focused on your children’s needs.
Parenting Plan Negotiations in Fort Lauderdale: How To Prepare
Broward County Family Court judges reward parents who are open to negotiations and place the child’s best interests first. Steps you can take to prepare include:
- Document your involvement in your child’s education, extracurriculars, health care, and other key aspects of their lives.
- Make a detailed daily schedule listing homework, chores, meals, and bedtimes.
- Consider school calendars, activity schedules, and any special needs your child has.
- Review work schedules and build a proposed time-sharing plan that you can realistically honor.
- Identify issues that may complicate negotiations, such as concerns about the other parent’s behavior or judgment.
- Consider using a parenting coordinator if direct negotiations are overly tense or unproductive.
Negotiating a Fort Lauderdale parenting plan is rarely easy and can be especially challenging in contested cases. To create a realistic schedule that protects your rights and your child’s best interests, get professional legal help from an experienced Fort Lauderdale time-sharing lawyer.
Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer
Parenting plan negotiations can affect your child and your relationship with them for years to come. Get the trusted, professional legal help you need during negotiations from Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices.
We help clients build strong proposals and get the best possible outcome in their case. To consult our experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html
flcourts.gov/content/download/686031/file_pdf/995a.pdf
