When a divorcing couple in Florida shares minor children, they will need to reach an agreement regarding timesharing. Timesharing is the technical term that the Florida family courts use to describe the division of parenting time.
Couples have the option either of negotiating their own split of parenting time or of asking a Florida family law judge to set parameters for their co-parenting. Whether you created your own parenting plan or relied on the court, eventually the specific instructions in your custody order may become obsolete.
You have the right to update your after timesharing arrangements when your family circumstances change. Following the three steps below will help you do so efficiently and with optimal protection for yourself.
1) Determine what changes would benefit your family
Before you can ask the courts to change your custody order, you first have to determine what changes are necessary.
Have your children started extracurricular activities that cut into your parenting time? Has your work schedule changed?
You need to look at your current timesharing arrangements and establish how they fall short of your family’s needs. Once you have a proposed solution for that issue, you can run consider addressing the issue with your ex.
2) Talk to your co-parent about the changes that you want
Any changes to the custody plan will affect you, your children and your ex. Discussing your hopes with the other parent could lead to some minor changes or tweaks in your proposed solution that ensure that it works optimally for your entire family.
Ideally, your ex will support your proposed changes, allowing you to file an uncontested modification request. Even if they don’t agree with your request, you can still ask the courts for the changes you desire.
3) File a formal modification request
Whether your ex intends to fight or to support your proposed modification, you will need the courts to review everything to make those changes official. If the judge approves your modification request, your custody order will change to reflect your family’s true current circumstances.
The better you understand your parenting rights after divorce in Florida, the easier it will be for you to navigate timesharing and the other co-parenting obligations with your ex.