A parenting plan is the legal document that governs every aspect of how separated or divorced parents share time with and make decisions about their children in Florida. It is not optional — Florida law requires a formally approved parenting plan in every family law case involving minor children. Attorney Mindi Lasley drafts and litigates parenting plans for families throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, building detailed, enforceable agreements that reduce future conflict and truly serve children’s needs.
What Florida Law Requires in a Parenting Plan
Under Florida Statute 61.13, every parenting plan must address a minimum set of issues. A plan that omits any required element will be rejected by the Hillsborough County family court:
- Time-sharing schedule — Day-to-day schedule specifying when the child is with each parent, including weekdays and weekends
- Holiday and vacation schedule — Major holidays, school breaks, summer vacation, and each parent’s independent vacation time
- Parental responsibility — How decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing are made
- Communication between parents — The method and frequency of parent-to-parent communication
- Communication between each parent and the child — How the child contacts the non-custodial parent during the other parent’s time
- Transportation and exchanges — Who transports the child, where exchanges occur, and backup arrangements
Types of Parenting Plans in Hillsborough County
Florida courts recognize that different family situations require different arrangements. Common parenting plan structures approved in Hillsborough County include:
| Plan Type | Description | Best For |
|—|—|—|
| Equal (50/50) Time-Sharing | Child spends equal time with each parent — alternating weeks, 2-2-3 schedules, etc. | Parents who live near each other with similar work schedules |
| Primary/Secondary Arrangement | Child lives primarily with one parent; other parent has consistent overnight schedule | Situations where distance, work schedules, or the child’s needs favor one primary home |
| Supervised Visitation | Non-custodial parent’s time occurs with a third-party supervisor present | Cases involving safety concerns, domestic violence, or substance abuse |
| Long-Distance Plan | Structured around geographic separation — school-year/summer splits, school break visits | Parents who live in different cities, counties, or states |
Shared vs. Sole Parental Responsibility
Every Florida parenting plan must specify the type of parental responsibility arrangement. This is separate from time-sharing:
- Shared parental responsibility — Both parents jointly make major decisions about the child’s life. This is Florida’s default preference and applies in the vast majority of Hillsborough County cases.
- Sole parental responsibility — One parent makes all major decisions. Requires evidence that shared responsibility would be detrimental to the child — such as a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or documented inability to cooperate.
- Shared responsibility with ultimate decision-making authority — Both parents consult, but one parent has final say on specific issues (often education or healthcare) when they cannot agree.
What Makes a Parenting Plan Enforceable
The most common complaint about existing parenting plans is that they are too vague. Language like “reasonable parenting time” or “mutually agreed schedule” creates endless disputes. A truly enforceable parenting plan is specific and leaves no room for interpretation on the issues that matter most:
- Exact exchange times — not just “after school” but “at 3:15 PM at the school entrance”
- Named holidays with specific years alternated — “Mother has Thanksgiving in odd-numbered years”
- Summer schedule start and end dates, not just “summer”
- Clear right of first refusal language — when and whether the other parent must be offered care before a babysitter is used
- Relocation notification requirements and procedures
- Communication method — a co-parenting app, text, email — and response time expectations
Mindi Lasley, P.A. drafts parenting plans with the level of detail that prevents conflict from arising in the first place.
Modifying a Parenting Plan in Florida
Once approved by the court, a parenting plan can only be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances since the original order that makes the current plan no longer in the child’s best interests. Qualifying changes include:
- A parent’s relocation
- A significant change in either parent’s work schedule
- A change in the child’s needs — medical, educational, or developmental
- Domestic violence, substance abuse, or neglect by a parent
- One parent consistently violating or undermining the existing plan
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|—|—|
| Can we create our own parenting plan without attorneys? | Yes, but the court must approve it. Vague or incomplete plans often get rejected or come back to haunt both parents later. |
| Can the plan be changed by agreement without going back to court? | Informal changes are common but not legally enforceable. Any formal modification must be approved by the court. |
| What if the other parent won’t follow the plan? | File a motion for contempt in Hillsborough County family court. Repeated violations can result in modification in your favor. |
| How does the child’s preference factor into the plan? | Courts consider a child’s preference based on their maturity and reasoning. Older children’s preferences carry more weight, but the judge decides. |
| Does our parenting plan cover what happens if a parent moves? | It should. Every plan should include relocation notification requirements. Florida’s relocation statute requires court approval for moves over 50 miles. |
| Can a parenting plan limit one parent’s new partners from being around the child? | Courts are generally reluctant to impose such restrictions unless there is documented harm. These provisions are fact-specific. |
Local Resources for Parenting Plans in Hillsborough County
| Resource | Description |
|—|—|
| Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court | Local Hillsborough County family court — parenting plan requirements and forms |
| Hillsborough County Clerk of Court | File and manage parenting plan documents |
| Florida Courts — Self-Help Forms | State-approved parenting plan forms for reference |
| Florida Bar — Child Custody Guide | Plain-language overview of Florida custody and parenting plan law |
Build a Parenting Plan That Actually Works
A parenting plan shapes your family’s daily life for years — sometimes decades. Getting it right from the start saves money, reduces conflict, and protects your children. Mindi Lasley, P.A. drafts and negotiates parenting plans for families in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County that are specific, enforceable, and designed to work in the real world. Call us at 813-873-9047 or contact us at our contact page to schedule your consultation.
About Mindi Lasley, P.A.: Mindi Lasley, P.A. is a Tampa-based family law firm serving parents and families throughout Hillsborough County in all aspects of child custody, time-sharing, and parenting plan matters. The firm is known for detailed, practical parenting plans that courts approve and parents can actually follow.