The Florida Parent Education Course teaches you that a parenting plan is a court-approved document that sets out time-sharing and parental responsibility after a Florida divorce or paternity case. You must have a parenting plan if your case involves minor children.
If you are going through a divorce or paternity case in Florida and have minor children, you will need a parenting plan. The Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course explains the key elements of a parenting plan and why it is required.
What Is Included in a Florida Parenting Plan?
A Florida parenting plan covers how you and the other parent will share time and responsibilities for your child. It usually includes:
- The time-sharing schedule, showing when the child will be with each parent
- How holidays, school breaks, and special days are divided
- How you and the other parent will make decisions about education, health care, and other important matters
- How you will communicate with each other and with your child
- Where the child will live for school enrollment
- Transportation arrangements
How Are Parenting Plans Created and Approved?
Parents can work together to create a parenting plan and submit it to the court for approval. If you and the other parent cannot agree, the court will decide the parenting plan based on what is best for the child. All parenting plans must be approved by a judge to be legally binding in Florida. For more information about parenting plan requirements, visit the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) at the Florida Department of Children and Families.
What Does the Florida Parent Education Course Teach About Parenting Plans?
Module 8 of the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, called Parenting Time, explains the benefits of keeping both parents involved, how to develop a parenting plan, and ways to communicate effectively as co-parents. The course helps you understand the legal and practical aspects of parenting plans, but it does not create a legal parenting plan for you.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What it is | Court-approved document governing time-sharing and parental responsibility |
| Created by | Parents by agreement, or by the court if parents cannot agree |
| Must be | Approved by a judge to be legally binding |
| Covered in the course | Yes — Module 8 (Parenting Time) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Florida divorces with minor children require a parenting plan?
Yes. Florida law requires a parenting plan whenever a divorce or paternity case involves minor children.
How can I change a parenting plan in Florida after it is approved?
Yes. Either parent can request a modification if there is a substantial change in circumstances, and the court will decide if the change is in the child’s best interests.
Does the Florida Parent Education Course help me create a parenting plan?
The course teaches the principles of effective parenting plans and co-parenting, but you must create the legal parenting plan through the court process, with or without an attorney.
Who has to approve a parenting plan in Florida?
A judge must approve and enter the parenting plan as a court order for it to be legally binding.
What happens if parents cannot agree on a parenting plan?
If parents cannot agree, the court will create a parenting plan based on the best interests of the child.