50/50 custody is now the preferred custody arrangement in Florida, with the rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in a child’s best interest in a divorce case. Parents must work together to develop a time-sharing schedule that works for their family, splitting time as they desire as long as the agreement provides each parent with an equal amount of overnights each year. View the most common time-sharing schedules in Florida, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Florida Time Sharing Schedule Requirements
Florida Statute 61.13(2)(a) specifies the requirements for time-sharing schedules in Florida. Time-sharing schedules are a part of every parenting plan, which must be created in all divorce cases involving minor children. Time-sharing schedules must describe how the children will split their time between parents daily, weekly, and monthly, including suitable exchange times and locations. It should also provide alternate schedules for school breaks and holidays.
Common Joint Custody Arrangements in Florida
Below are some of the most common time-sharing schedules used by Florida families. You can follow one of these schedules as described, adjust it, or create your own.
3-4-4-3 Schedule
This schedule allows for both children and parents to have predictable weekly schedules. With this plan, children never go more than four days without seeing one of their parents. In the first week, Parent 1 has the children for three days, while Parent 2 has them for four days. During the second week, the schedule reverses. Parent 1 has the children for four days, while Parent 2 gets the children for three days. If you consistently use the same days and times for exchanges, each parent will always have the same weekdays with the children. This arrangement has several midweek exchanges, so everyone involved with the children’s care must be in communication about where the children will spend their time.
2-2-3 Schedule
With this time-sharing schedule, children spend two days with each parent and then have an alternating three-day weekend. This provides an alternating schedule where the children see their parents every few days. It also allows parents to have significant time with their children on the weekends. Parent 1 has the children on Sunday and during the day on Monday, and then again overnight on Wednesday and Thursday. In the same week, Parent 2 has the children Monday night, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the day. Parent 2 would also get the children on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. The following week, the schedule switches. Parent 1 has the children on Monday night, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the day, as well as Friday night through Monday during the day. The back-and-forth nature of this time-sharing schedule works well for families with young children who aren’t in school. It can also work well for parents who live close to each other and want consistent weekdays with their children.
2-2-5-5 Schedule
With this schedule, children will spend two days with each parent, followed by five overnights. This allows both parents to have alternating long weekend times with their children. Parents will have two set weekdays, as well. Then, weekend and Monday nights would alternate. The five-day stretches allow parents with non-traditional work schedules to have longer periods without the children while allowing both parents to take multi-day trips and vacations over school holidays and breaks.
Alternating Weeks
This schedule is beneficial in its simplicity. Parents alternate weeks with their children, spending seven days with one parent and seven days with the other. This allows children to have a stable, consistent schedule with only one weekly exchange. However, children will go a whole week without seeing each parent. With this arrangement, parents need to constantly communicate about school and extracurricular activities, as the parent responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups will change each week. Parents must also live relatively close to the children’s school and activities as they will be responsible for transportation during their weeks.
How to Create a Time-Sharing Schedule in Florida
Time-sharing schedules are a critical part of your parenting plan, a document that specifies how you will co-parent with your ex. The court must approve a parenting plan before your divorce can be finalized. Your final time-sharing schedule will be submitted to the family court with your parenting plan utilizing Family Law Form 12.995(a).
Create a Florida Time-Sharing Schedule with Peppler Law
Family law attorney Thomas R. Peppler is experienced in helping families create time-sharing schedules in Florida as a part of divorce proceedings. Our goal is to help you design a plan that works for you and your ex while ensuring you receive equal time with your children and reducing potential conflicts. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation to see how we can assist you in filing your divorce.
