As a Florida parent, your priority in a divorce should be your children. It can be easy to get caught up worrying about how you will divide assets, yet you can always earn more money. You can never replace your kids.
The state requires that parents make a parenting plan before a court approves their divorce. If you and your spouse cannot agree on the details, the court will intervene and decide for you. These are some elements that every parenting plan must include:
- How your children will split time with each parent: This is one area that can be incredibly complicated for professional athletes. Your job can have significant seasonal variations, and you may be required to travel a lot.
- How you and the other parent will communicate: Good communication is essential for your kids’ sake. It is especially crucial with school and medical issues.
- How you will make decisions: While you and your spouse will lead separate lives from now on, you still have to parent together. If each household has wildly different rules over discipline, bedtime and homework, you will confuse your child. Important decisions will need to be made together, despite you being apart.
- How extra expenses will be paid for: While child support agreements cover regular payments, there will always be unexpected costs, such as medical bills, dentistry or school trips.
- How you will deal with changes: Sometimes, things crop up that disrupt a routine. You need a clear policy in place to handle such changes.
Creating a Florida parenting plan may seem like hard work, but it helps ensure that you and the other parent have thought your child’s future through. Seek legal help to understand more.