For many years the care and nurturing of minor children following a separation or divorce of their biological or adoptive parents was considered a custody issue with the custody usually going to one or the other parent. In Florida, this arrangement is no more. Unless there are extenuating circumstances such as serious drug use, incarceration, or domestic violence and/or child abuse conviction, both parents are to work together to raise and nurture their children. This is true even if the parents never married or even lived together.

Florida courts have the motto “In the best interest of the child” and have developed guidelines, found in Florida’s statutes, which speak entirely to the best interest of the child. Today terms such as shared parenting, parenting plans, and overnights are used to describe how parents will equally share the responsibility of parenting. Too, both parents are required to take a state approved parenting class before any legal action on their behalf will take place.

What is most interesting is the developing of the custom parenting plan required of all couples with minor children. This plan can be developed by the parents and agreed upon in a marital settlement formed at a mediation or a judge can decide and rule on its contents. As each situation is different, each plan will reflect the needs of the minor children involved, thus becoming a custom parenting plan. The plan will include the number of overnights with the child and where they will take place for each parent. Equal sharing of decision making in the areas of education, religion, medical, and discipline will be defined. Additionally, issues involving methods of communication between parents and between parent and child, special needs, co-pays, the division of paying for childcare and/or extracurricular activities, and health and life insurance will all be addressed. Other issues unique to a particular custom parenting plan will also be included.

While there is no guarantee parents will follow a parenting plan the courts have in place the means to take an errant parent back for contempt of court with a variety of unpleasant consequences possible for non-compliance. Attorney Grant Gisondo who practices Family Law in Palm Beach Gardens and serves the Florida counties of Palm Beach, Martin, St.Lucie, Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Hillsborough, as well as Washington DC, has over l0 years experience helping clients develop a fair and comprehensive custom parenting plan. He offers a free, initial, in-office consultation where he will meet with you personally to answer questions and share how he can help. His office hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (except when he is in court) and on Saturdays for new clients from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. You can call for an appointment at (561) 530-4568.