What Is Timesharing?

Florida law refers to child custody arrangements as timesharing. Unlike the traditional concept of sole or joint custody, timesharing emphasizes shared parental responsibility and ensuring that both parents remain actively involved in their child’s life.

Working toward a timeshare agreement can be challenging, but when you have an Orlando family lawyer on your side means you can approach the process with confidence. Whether you are in the early stages of separation or finalizing a divorce, skilled legal professionals can help you create a timesharing plan that serves the best interests of your child while protecting your parental rights.

Why Are Child Arrangements Referred to as Timesharing?

The state of Florida has moved away from the terms like visitation, this is because the term timesharing is now favored. It promotes the idea that both parents have equal importance in a child’s upbringing. This shift was part of a broader effort to encourage co-parenting and discourage the idea that one parent automatically takes primary custody while the other has limited visitation. A lot of research has illustrated that maintaining frequent and continued contact with both parents is in the best interest of the child. The law recognizes this, unless of course there is evidence that such an arrangement would be harmful.

If you and your child’s other parent are separating, you will need to establish a parenting plan that details the timesharing arrangement. This plan is a legally binding document that outlines when the child will be with each parent, how major decisions will be made, and how communication between parents and the child will be handled.

Timesharing schedules can vary based on factors such as the parents’ work schedules, the child’s school and extracurricular activities, and any unique circumstances affecting the family. A typical timesharing plan may include alternating weeks, splitting weekdays and weekends, or special arrangements for holidays and summer vacations. Courts generally encourage parents to agree on a schedule themselves, but if they cannot, a judge will decide.

Does Timesharing Start During Separation or Only After Divorce?

As soon as parents separate, even before a divorce is finalized, timesharing can be in place. This can be helpful in providing stability for the child while the parents work out a long-term arrangement. In some situations a court will issue a temporary timesharing order. This may be necessary if one parent is withholding access to the child or if there are disputes about the living arrangements. Once the divorce is finalized, the court will issue a permanent parenting plan that includes a detailed timesharing schedule.

Talk to an Orlando family lawyer if you are separating and need to craft a parenting plan or if a timesharing arrangement needs to be modified because there has been a significant change in circumstances. This could be due to a parent’s relocation or a change in the child’s needs, for example.

Do you want to explore your timeshare options? Connect with the legal team at Donna Hung Law. Call 407-999-0099 or contact us online to book your confidential consultation.