Our Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Attorney Offers Tips For Successful Co-Parenting

Child time-sharing in Fort Lauderdale is generally encouraged by the Broward County Family Court in cases involving divorced or single parents. While navigating co-parenting arrangements can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding, both for parents and their children, provided you have the right mindset and strategies. Our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney explains more about the process and offers tips for co-parenting to increase your chances of success and reduce stress.

Creating A Parenting Plan In Fort Lauderdale

Rather than awarding one parent full custody and the other visitation, child time-sharing arrangements are generally encouraged under the Florida Statutes. This allows both parties ongoing contact with their child.

Florida Court-approved parenting plans form the basis for co-parenting. They provide clear guidelines for each parent, detail their rights and responsibilities, and help maintain realistic expectations. This reduces the risks of misunderstandings and disputes that could put the child and their well-being at risk. When creating a parenting plan in Fort Lauderdale to use in co-parenting, make sure it includes:

• A detailed schedule that specifies when each parent will have time with the child and includes regular visits as well as rights to weekends, holidays, and other special occasions;
• Decision-making responsibilities in regard to the child’s education, healthcare, and important matters;
• Expect the unexpected and include plans for emergencies, missed visits, and other issues that may arise;
• Include provisions for dispute resolution, specifying how disagreements will be resolved and when you may need to return to court.

A well-organized parenting plan establishes clear boundaries, encourages cooperation, and protects your child’s well-being.

Make Effective Communication A Top Priority When Co-Parenting In Fort Lauderdale

There is no doubt that co-parenting in Fort Lauderdale can be difficult. However, maintaining clear communication is one of the keys to success.

While you may have personal disputes or hard feelings about the past, make it a goal to maintain open, honest, and respectful interactions with each other. Being civil makes co-parenting easier on you and helps ensure that your child’s needs come first. Our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney recommends:

• Use co-parenting apps: Consider using tools like OurFamilyWizard to help organize schedules and manage messages between the parties.
• Keep conversations focused on the child: Stay focused on the child’s needs rather than venting personal frustrations or discussing unrelated matters.
• Maintain respect: Even when disagreements arise, keeping communication respectful and neutral helps reduce conflict and keeps things child-centered.
• Be flexible: While you want to protect your own rights as a parent, remaining flexible and willing to cooperate with the other party plays a vital role in effective co-parenting.

For Trusted Legal Help With Co-Parenting, Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Attorney

Navigating child time-sharing in Fort Lauderdale can be difficult. However, having a clear parenting plan and prioritizing effective communication can help create a stable, positive environment for both parents and the child.

Sandra Bonfiglio is here to help. For caring support and trusted legal guidance, call or contact our office online. Request a consultation today with our experienced Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

flcourts.gov/content/download/686031/file_pdf/995a.pdf