How Do 50/50 Custody Schedules Work in Florida?

How Do 50/50 Custody Schedules Work in Florida? Divorces are stressful no matter what, but when there are shared children involved, it can be a whole different ball game. Children can heighten the emotional stakes in an already challenging situation. If you are concerned about how custody will be determined, you are not alone. Many people avoid pursuing divorce for years out of concern for how it will affect their ability to access and spend time with their children. However, the good news is that there are legal protections in place to ensure that the best interests of your children are considered and prioritized in making custody decisions. Additionally, the sooner you seek legal counsel, the better your chances of retaining custody or getting an outcome with which you are comfortable. You do not want to be blindsided and reacting; having the time to strategize and consider all possible options will be to your benefit.

Determining Custody Plans

It is important to understand that you and your co-parent have the first opportunity to determine your custody plan. You can decide amongst yourselves, or through negotiations with the help of a lawyer or lawyers. You can also try mediation or other collaborative methods to arrive at a custody agreement that works for you. This is always preferable, as it gives you the maximum amount of control over the ultimate custody agreement. If you and your co-parent can agree on a custody agreement together, then the court only needs to review the agreement to ensure that it would be in the best interest of your child to approve it. Assuming it meets this threshold, the agreement will be approved.

Of course, it is not always possible to reach an agreement with your co-parent. In the event that you cannot come to an agreement together, the court will rely on various factors in determining what custody agreement would be in the best interest of the child. 50/50 custody agreements are popular because they allow the child to spend equal time with both parents.

Our family law attorneys are focused on efficiently and effectively preparing clients for the most difficult circumstances. The attorneys at HAWM law have experience dealing with an array of family law matters and can prepare the necessary and often unique strategy and tools that your family may require.

50/50 Custody Plans

50/50 custody may seem simple in theory, but it can be slightly more complicated in application, since there are an odd number of days in the week. Additionally, some days hold greater value to parents than others. For instance, a parent might object to only having weekdays when the children are in school and they are at work. For this reason, one of the most popular 50/50 custody plans in Florida is known as the alternate weeks plan. In this custody plan, the child stays with one parent for seven consecutive days, and then stays with the other parent for seven consecutive days before alternating again. With the 3-4-4-3 custody schedule, the child spends three days with one parent and four days with the other, before switching and spending four days with the first parent and three days with the second parent the following week. This method allows the child to spend time with both parents each week, and ensures that both parents have children on weekend and school days. Another way of dividing up the days over a two-week period is with the 2-2-5-5 custody schedule. With this schedule, the child spends two days with one parent, then two days with the next parent, before spending five days with the first parent and then five days with the second parent.

Talk to an Orlando Child Custody Attorney

If you are considering divorce or are currently pursuing custody of your children in Florida, the experienced Child Custody Attorneys at Orlando’s HAWM Law are ready to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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