Helping Parents Create Stable Parenting Schedules
Tupper Law assists parents throughout Jacksonville and surrounding communities in creating time-sharing arrangements that are practical, legally sound, and aligned with the best interests of the child. We offer:
- Negotiation and mediation support
- Court advocacy when agreements cannot be reached
- Modification and enforcement of existing schedules
What Is Visitation and Time-Sharing in Florida?
Florida law no longer uses the term visitation in the traditional sense. Instead, parents establish time-sharing through a court-approved parenting plan. A parenting plan outlines how parents will share responsibility and time with their child, including:
- Weekday and weekend schedules
- Holiday and school break arrangements
- Summer vacation schedules
- Transportation and exchange logistics
The goal is to create a predictable routine that supports the child’s emotional, educational, and developmental needs.
Legal Requirements for Parenting Plans in Florida
Under Florida Statute section 61.13, every parenting plan must include:
- A detailed time-sharing schedule
- Designation of parental responsibility for education and health care
- Communication guidelines between parents and the child
If parents cannot agree on a schedule, the court will impose one based on statutory best-interest factors.
Factors Courts Consider When Determining Time-Sharing
Florida courts evaluate multiple factors to determine what arrangement best serves the child, including:
- The child’s emotional and developmental needs
- Each parent’s ability to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s involvement in daily routines
- Mental and physical health of each parent
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
Judges focus on creating stability while ensuring frequent and meaningful contact with both parents when appropriate.
Common Time-Sharing Schedules
There is no single schedule that works for every family. Common time-sharing arrangements include:
Alternating Weekends
One parent has alternating weekends with an additional weekday evening.
2-2-3 Schedule
The child spends two days with each parent during the week, alternating three-day weekends.
Week-On Week-Off
The child alternates full weeks with each parent, often used for older children.
Schedules are often customized to account for school hours, extracurricular activities, work schedules, and travel distance.
Best Practices for Creating a Fair Time-Sharing Schedule
A well-structured parenting plan helps prevent future disputes. Best practices include:
- Prioritizing the child’s routine and stability
- Clearly defining holidays and vacations
- Planning for school breaks and extracurricular activities
- Using precise language to avoid ambiguity
- Building in reasonable flexibility for future changes
Legal guidance helps ensure the plan is enforceable and realistic.
Modifying an Existing Time-Sharing Order
Once a time-sharing order is in place, modifications are not automatic. Florida law requires proof of a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances, and that the change is in the child’s best interests.
Common reasons for modification include:
- A parent’s relocation
- Changes in the child’s educational or medical needs
- Ongoing conflict affecting the child
- Safety or behavioral concerns
Proper documentation and legal strategy are essential when seeking a modification.
How a Visitation Attorney Can Help
Time-sharing disputes can become emotionally charged and legally complex. Representation helps by:
- Presenting child-focused arguments to the court
- Ensuring compliance with Florida statutory requirements
- Protecting parental rights
- Reducing conflict through structured negotiation
Early legal involvement often leads to more durable and less contentious outcomes.
Serving Jacksonville and Surrounding Communities
Tupper Law represents parents throughout:
- Jacksonville
- Yulee
- Nassau County
- Duval County
- Clay County
- Orange Park
- Baker County
Local knowledge of court practices and procedures helps ensure effective advocacy across Northeast Florida.
Contact a Jacksonville Visitation and Time-Sharing Attorney
A clear time-sharing plan provides structure, reduces conflict, and supports your child’s long-term well-being. Whether you are establishing a new parenting plan or seeking to modify an existing one, experienced legal guidance makes a meaningful difference. Contact Tupper Law today to schedule a consultation and discuss your visitation and time-sharing concerns.
FAQs
What is the difference between visitation and time-sharing in Florida?
Florida uses the term time-sharing to describe how parents divide time with their child under a parenting plan.
Can a time-sharing schedule be changed later?
Yes, but only if there is a substantial and unanticipated change in circumstances and the modification serves the child’s best interests.
Does Florida favor fifty-fifty time-sharing?
Florida does not presume a fifty fifty schedule. Courts focus on what arrangement best meets the child’s needs.
What happens if a parent violates a time-sharing order?
The court may enforce the order through remedies such as make-up time, sanctions, or modification.
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, Tupper Law P.A. stands as a distinguished legal practice dedicated to offering high-quality legal advice, advocacy, and representation. Our services extend beyond Jacksonville to Yulee, Nassau County, Duval County, Clay County, Orange Park, and Baker County.