Florida Parenting Plan

FLORIDA PARENTING PLAN

Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b)

IMPORTANT: Under Florida law, a Parenting Plan is mandatory in all proceedings involving time-sharing with a minor child, including dissolutions of marriage, paternity actions, and any proceeding where parental responsibility is at issue. A court may not approve a parenting plan that does not meet the minimum statutory requirements of Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b). Florida no longer uses the terms "custody" or "visitation" — the correct terms are "parental responsibility" and "time-sharing."

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE [____] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR [________________________________] COUNTY, FLORIDA

FAMILY DIVISION

Case No.: [________________________________]

Division: [____]

PARENTING PLAN

This parenting plan is:

☐ A Parenting Plan submitted by agreement of the parties pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b)

☐ A Parenting Plan submitted by one party (attach proposed plan for court consideration)

☐ A Parenting Plan ordered by the Court after hearing, based on evaluation of all factors in Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3)

☐ A modification of a prior Parenting Plan dated [__/__/____]

SECTION 1: IDENTIFICATION OF CHILD(REN)

SECTION 2: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

(Required under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b))

2.1 Type of Parental Responsibility

☐ Shared Parental Responsibility — Both parents retain full parental rights and responsibilities and shall confer with each other so that major decisions affecting the welfare of the child(ren) will be determined jointly. (Fla. Stat. § 61.046(17))

☐ Shared Parental Responsibility with Ultimate Decision-Making Authority — Both parents share parental responsibility, but in the event of disagreement on a specific issue, the designated parent shall have ultimate decision-making authority as specified below. (The court must make specific findings supporting this allocation.)

☐ Sole Parental Responsibility to [________________________________] — This parent has exclusive decision-making authority. (The court must find that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child per Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)2.)

2.2 Decision-Making Responsibility Allocation

IMPORTANT: Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b)3, the parenting plan must describe the methods and technologies that the parents will use to communicate with the child(ren) and must address health care, school-related matters, and activities.

2.3 Emergency Decisions

The parent exercising time-sharing at the time of a medical or other emergency shall have authority to make emergency decisions necessary to protect the child(ren)'s health, safety, and welfare. The other parent shall be notified as soon as reasonably possible, and in no event later than 24 hours after the emergency.

2.4 Information Access

Both parents, regardless of the type of parental responsibility ordered, shall have access to records and information pertaining to the minor child(ren), including but not limited to medical, dental, mental health, school, and activity records. (Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b)3)

Both parents shall be listed as emergency contacts with schools, medical providers, and child care facilities.

SECTION 3: TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE

(Required under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b) — Must specify the time, including overnights and holidays, that the child will spend with each parent)

3.1 Rebuttable Presumption of Equal Time-Sharing

Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)1, there is a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the best interests of the minor child(ren). To rebut this presumption, a party must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that equal time-sharing is not in the best interests of the child(ren), based on evaluation of all factors in Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3).

3.2 Regular Time-Sharing Schedule

☐ OPTION A: Equal Time-Sharing (50/50) — Week On / Week Off

The child(ren) shall reside with each parent on alternating weeks. The exchange shall occur on [________________________________] (day of week) at [________________________________] (time).

• Week 1: Child(ren) with Father from [________________________________] to [________________________________]
• Week 2: Child(ren) with Mother from [________________________________] to [________________________________]

☐ OPTION B: Equal Time-Sharing (50/50) — 2-2-3 Rotation

• Monday and Tuesday: Father every week
• Wednesday and Thursday: Mother every week
• Friday through Sunday: Alternating (Father on Week 1, Mother on Week 2)

☐ OPTION C: Equal Time-Sharing (50/50) — 5-2-2-5 Rotation

• Monday and Tuesday: Father every week
• Wednesday and Thursday: Mother every week
• Friday through Monday: Alternating (Father on Week 1, Mother on Week 2)

☐ OPTION D: Majority Time-Sharing — Every Other Weekend Plus Midweek

• Majority Time-Sharing Parent: [________________________________]
• Other Parent's Time-Sharing:
• Alternating weekends: Friday at [____] to Sunday at [____] (or Monday morning school drop-off)
• Midweek: [________________________________] (day) from [____] to [____]

☐ OPTION E: Custom Schedule

Father's regular time-sharing:
[________________________________]

Mother's regular time-sharing:
[________________________________]

Approximate Overnights Per Year:

• Father: [____] overnights
• Mother: [____] overnights

3.3 Holiday and School Break Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular time-sharing schedule. Unless otherwise specified, holiday time-sharing begins at [____] and ends at [____].

Additional holidays or cultural/religious observances:
[________________________________]

3.4 Summer Schedule

☐ The regular time-sharing schedule continues through the summer.

☐ Summer schedule differs as follows:

• Father's uninterrupted summer time-sharing: [____] weeks, with at least [____] days' written notice to Mother by [________________________________] (date) each year.
• Mother's uninterrupted summer time-sharing: [____] weeks, with at least [____] days' written notice to Father by [________________________________] (date) each year.
• Summer schedule details: [________________________________]

The non-time-sharing parent shall have the regular time-sharing schedule during the other parent's summer block, or as follows: [________________________________]

3.5 School Schedule vs. Non-School Day Schedule

☐ Same schedule applies year-round.

☐ Different schedule for non-school days / teacher planning days:
[________________________________]

SECTION 4: EXCHANGES AND TRANSPORTATION

(Required under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b) — Must designate exchange locations)

4.1 Exchange Location(s)

☐ The child(ren)'s school (drop-off/pick-up)

☐ Father's residence: [________________________________]

☐ Mother's residence: [________________________________]

☐ Neutral public location: [________________________________]

☐ Other: [________________________________]

4.2 Transportation Responsibility

☐ The receiving parent (the parent whose time-sharing is beginning) shall be responsible for pick-up.

☐ The delivering parent (the parent whose time-sharing is ending) shall be responsible for drop-off.

☐ Parents shall meet at a midpoint location: [________________________________]

☐ Other arrangement: [________________________________]

4.3 Exchange Conduct

Both parents shall ensure that exchanges occur in a calm, conflict-free manner. Neither parent shall discuss legal proceedings, financial disputes, or matters that may cause the child(ren) distress during exchanges. Both parents shall be punctual. If a parent will be more than [____] minutes late, that parent shall notify the other parent.

4.4 Belongings and Personal Items

The child(ren)'s clothing, school supplies, medications, and essential personal items shall travel with the child(ren). Both parents shall maintain basic necessities (clothing, toiletries, bedding) at each residence. Special items (loveys, comfort objects, sports equipment) shall travel with the child(ren) as needed.

SECTION 5: COMMUNICATION

(Required under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b) — Must describe methods and technologies for parent-child communication)

5.1 Parent-Child Communication During Other Parent's Time-Sharing

Each parent shall facilitate reasonable communication between the child(ren) and the other parent during their time-sharing period.

• Method: ☐ Telephone ☐ Video call (FaceTime, Zoom, etc.) ☐ Text (if age-appropriate) ☐ Email ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Frequency: ☐ Daily ☐ Every other day ☐ As mutually agreed ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Time: Generally at [________________________________], unless the child(ren) are engaged in activities
• Duration: Reasonable, generally [____] minutes

Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with the child(ren)'s private communications with the other parent, except as appropriate for young children.

5.2 Parent-to-Parent Communication

• Primary Method: ☐ Co-parenting application (specify: [________________________________]) ☐ Email ☐ Text message ☐ Telephone ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Tone and Content: All communications shall be respectful, business-like, and focused on the child(ren)'s needs.
• Response Timeframe: Non-emergency matters: within [____] hours. Emergency matters: as soon as practicable.

5.3 Social Media and Technology

☐ Neither parent shall post photographs or information about the child(ren) on social media without the other parent's consent.

☐ Parents shall jointly decide on the child(ren)'s access to social media, cell phones, and electronic devices.

☐ No restrictions beyond applicable law.

SECTION 6: CHILD-REARING PROVISIONS

6.1 Education

• School Address for Boundary Determination: [________________________________] (Required under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b))
• Current School: [________________________________]
• School Registration: ☐ Father ☐ Mother shall be listed as the primary contact for school registration and boundary purposes.
• School Conferences and Events: Both parents are entitled to attend and participate in school conferences, open houses, performances, and other school events.
• School Records: Both parents shall receive copies of report cards, progress reports, and all school communications.

6.2 Health Care

• Health Insurance Provider: ☐ Father ☐ Mother shall maintain health insurance for the child(ren). Policy information: [________________________________]
• Dental Insurance: ☐ Father ☐ Mother ☐ Same as health insurance
• Vision Insurance: ☐ Father ☐ Mother ☐ Same as health insurance
• Primary Care Physician: [________________________________]
• Dentist: [________________________________]
• Specialists (if any): [________________________________]
• Unreimbursed Medical/Dental/Vision Expenses: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Proportional to income: Father [____]% / Mother [____]%
• Mental Health Treatment: Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b)3, if shared parental responsibility for health care decisions is ordered, either parent may consent to mental health treatment for the child(ren).

6.3 Extracurricular Activities

• Activities requiring enrollment or financial commitment shall be: ☐ Agreed upon jointly ☐ Decided by the parent with decision-making authority
• The enrolling parent shall be responsible for transportation to/from activities during their time-sharing.
• Activity costs shall be: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Paid by the enrolling parent ☐ Proportional to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]

6.4 Child Care / Day Care

• Day care/after-school care provider: [________________________________]
• Day care expenses shall be: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Proportional to income ☐ Paid by [________________________________]
• Right of First Refusal: If either parent needs child care for more than [____] consecutive hours during their time-sharing, that parent shall first offer the time to the other parent before using third-party child care.

☐ Right of first refusal does not apply.

6.5 Overnight Time-Sharing Considerations

For child(ren) under age 3, the following provisions apply to overnight time-sharing:
[________________________________]

(Florida courts may consider the age and developmental needs of very young children when structuring overnight time-sharing. There is no statutory bar to overnight time-sharing at any age, but the court may structure gradual increases.)

SECTION 7: RELOCATION

(Fla. Stat. § 61.13001)

7.1 Notice Requirements

Both parents acknowledge and agree that Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 61.13001) requires the following for any proposed relocation of 50 or more miles from the parent's principal residence at the time of the last order:

1. The relocating parent must file a Petition to Relocate and serve the other parent with written notice that includes:
   - The intended new address and telephone number
   - The date of the intended relocation
   - A detailed statement of specific reasons for the proposed relocation
   - A proposal for a revised time-sharing schedule and transportation arrangements
   - A statement in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS advising the other parent that failure to file a response within 20 days constitutes consent to the relocation

2. The non-relocating parent has 20 days from service to file a verified written objection with specific factual basis.

3. Failure to timely object constitutes consent to the relocation.

4. The relocating parent bears the initial burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the relocation is in the child(ren)'s best interests. If met, the burden shifts to the objecting parent.

7.2 Current Geographic Limitation

☐ No geographic restriction beyond compliance with Fla. Stat. § 61.13001.

☐ Both parents agree to reside within [____] miles of [________________________________] during the term of this Parenting Plan.

☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 8: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE / SAFETY PROVISIONS

8.1 Domestic Violence Screening

☐ There are no allegations or findings of domestic violence in this case.

☐ There are allegations or findings of domestic violence. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)2, evidence of domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption against shared parental responsibility or equal time-sharing. The following safety provisions apply:

8.2 Safety-Focused Provisions (If Applicable)

☐ Supervised time-sharing required for [________________________________]. Supervisor: [________________________________] (professional/agency OR approved third party).

☐ Supervised exchanges at: [________________________________]

☐ No overnight time-sharing for [________________________________] until: [________________________________]

☐ Parent shall complete the following before unsupervised time-sharing: ☐ Batterer's intervention program ☐ Substance abuse evaluation and treatment ☐ Parenting course ☐ Mental health evaluation ☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ A Safety-Focused Parenting Plan (Florida Family Law Form 12.995(b)) is attached and incorporated by reference.

SECTION 9: DISPUTE RESOLUTION

9.1 Good-Faith Communication

The parents shall first attempt to resolve disputes regarding interpretation or implementation of this Parenting Plan through direct, respectful communication.

9.2 Florida Mandatory Mediation

If direct communication does not resolve the dispute, the parents shall attend mediation with a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator before filing any motion with the Court. (Fla. Stat. § 44.102; § 61.183)

Exception: Mediation shall not be required where there is a history of domestic violence that would compromise the mediation process (Fla. Stat. § 44.102(2)(c)) or where there is an immediate threat to the child(ren)'s health or safety.

Mediation Costs: ☐ Shared equally ☐ Proportional to income ☐ As ordered by Court

9.3 Parenting Coordinator

☐ The parties agree to use a Parenting Coordinator pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 61.125 to assist in resolving time-sharing disputes. The Parenting Coordinator shall be: [________________________________]

☐ Not applicable.

SECTION 10: PARENT EDUCATION COURSE

10.1 Compliance with Fla. Stat. § 61.21

Both parents acknowledge the mandatory requirement to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course (minimum 4 hours) as required by Fla. Stat. § 61.21.

• Father's Completion Date: [__/__/____] Certificate Provider: [________________________________]
• Mother's Completion Date: [__/__/____] Certificate Provider: [________________________________]

NOTE: The Court shall not enter a final judgment until both parties have filed certificates of completion with the Clerk of Court. Completion is required within 45 days of filing or being served with the petition.

SECTION 11: ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

11.1 Non-Disparagement

Neither parent shall make derogatory or disparaging remarks about the other parent, the other parent's family members, or the other parent's household in the presence or hearing of the child(ren). Neither parent shall allow others to do so in the child(ren)'s presence.

11.2 Substance Abuse

Neither parent shall consume alcohol to impairment or use illegal substances during their time-sharing or within 12 hours preceding the commencement of their time-sharing. Neither parent shall allow others to use illegal substances in the presence of the child(ren).

11.3 Firearms Safety

All firearms shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren), in compliance with applicable Florida law.

11.4 Significant Others / New Partners

☐ Neither parent shall have a romantic partner present for overnight time-sharing until [________________________________].

☐ Neither parent shall introduce the child(ren) to a new romantic partner until the relationship has been established for at least [____] months.

☐ No restrictions beyond applicable law.

11.5 Consistency Between Households

The parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistent rules, routines, bedtimes, and homework expectations between the two households.

11.6 Passport and Travel Documents

☐ Both parents must consent in writing before a passport is obtained or renewed for the child(ren).

☐ The child(ren)'s passport(s) shall be held by: ☐ Father ☐ Mother ☐ Father's attorney ☐ Mother's attorney

11.7 Annual Review

The parents agree to review this Parenting Plan annually, on or about [________________________________] (date), to discuss whether modifications are needed to address the child(ren)'s changing developmental needs. Any modifications require either mutual written agreement filed with the Court or a court order.

11.8 Other Provisions

[________________________________]

SECTION 12: MODIFICATION

This Parenting Plan may be modified only upon:

1. A showing of a substantial and material change in circumstances that was not reasonably contemplated at the time this Plan was approved (Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3)); AND
2. A determination that the modification is in the best interests of the child(ren).

Modification requires either:

• A written stipulation signed by both parents and approved by the Court; or
• A Supplemental Petition to Modify Parenting Plan (Florida Family Law Form 12.905(a)) filed with the Court.

SECTION 13: REQUIRED FLORIDA FORMS AND FILING

13.1 Companion Forms

This Parenting Plan should be filed with the following applicable Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms:

☐ Form 12.995(a) — Parenting Plan

☐ Form 12.995(b) — Safety-Focused Parenting Plan (if domestic violence/safety issues)

☐ Form 12.995(c) — Relocation/Long-Distance Parenting Plan (if relocation involved)

☐ Form 12.902(d) — Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit

☐ Form 12.912(b) — Certificate of Service

☐ Form 12.905(a) — Supplemental Petition to Modify (if modifying existing plan)

13.2 Filing

This Plan shall be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in [________________________________] County, Florida. Both parties' signatures must be witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk.

SECTION 14: EXECUTION

I certify that the information in this Parenting Plan is true and correct. I understand that this Plan, once approved by the Court, becomes a binding court order.

FATHER/MOTHER:

Signature: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Address: [________________________________]

City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

FATHER/MOTHER:

Signature: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Address: [________________________________]

City/State/ZIP: [________________________________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

NOTARIZATION

STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF [________________________________]

Sworn to or affirmed and signed before me on [__/__/____] by:

[________________________________] ☐ Personally known ☐ Produced identification: [________________________________]

[________________________________] ☐ Personally known ☐ Produced identification: [________________________________]

Signature of Notary Public: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]

[Notary Seal]

ORDER APPROVING PARENTING PLAN

The Court, having reviewed the foregoing Parenting Plan and having considered the twenty (20) best interest factors enumerated in Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3), including but not limited to:

(a) Each parent's capacity to facilitate and encourage the parent-child relationship and honor the time-sharing schedule;
(b) The anticipated division of parental responsibilities;
(c) Each parent's capacity to place the child(ren)'s needs above the parent's own;
(d) The stability of the child(ren)'s current environment;
(e) The geographic viability of the parenting plan;
(m) Any evidence of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect;
(s) The developmental stages and needs of the child(ren);

FINDS that this Parenting Plan is in the best interests of the minor child(ren) and is consistent with the rebuttable presumption of equal time-sharing under Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)1, or the presumption has been rebutted by competent evidence.

IT IS ORDERED that this Parenting Plan is approved and incorporated into this Order with the full force and effect of a court order.

DONE AND ORDERED in [________________________________] County, Florida, this [____] day of [________________________________], 20[____].

_________________________________
Circuit Court Judge

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Fla. Stat. § 61.13 — Support of children; parental responsibility; time-sharing; powers of court
• 2025 Florida Statutes § 61.13
• Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b) — Mandatory parenting plan provisions and requirements
• Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3) — Twenty (20) best interest factors
• Fla. Stat. § 61.046 — Definitions (parenting plan, parental responsibility, time-sharing)
• 2025 Florida Statutes § 61.046
• Fla. Stat. § 61.13001 — Parental relocation with a child (50-mile rule)
• 2025 Florida Statutes § 61.13001
• Fla. Stat. § 61.21 — Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course (mandatory 4-hour course)
• Florida Statutes § 61.21
• Fla. Stat. § 61.125 — Parenting Coordinator
• Fla. Stat. § 44.102 — Court-ordered mediation
• Fla. Stat. § 61.183 — Mediation in contested family law matters
• Florida Supreme Court Family Law Forms — Forms 12.995(a), 12.995(b), 12.995(c), 12.905(a), 12.902(d)
• Florida Courts Family Law Forms