Shared Parenting – Equal Time With Each Parent To Spend Quality Time Together

By Author: Grant Gisondo
Total Articles: 13
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For many years when there were minor children (children from birth to l8 years or beyond if a child was physically or mentally disabled and could not provide self-support) andthe parents were divorcing or separating in cases where there was no marriage, these children were awarded to one parent as the custodial parent and the other parent had visitation rights. As time has gone on, it has been proven that this arrangement for minor children was not providing a high level of care and nurturing needed for the optimum development of the child. It was also observed that whicheverparent had only visitation rights would feel left out of their child’s life both in quality time spent together and in major decision making affecting their child’s best interests.

In Florida, as in most states, sole custody is no longer used to determine the care and nurturing of minor children. There are some exceptions, however, which include instances when one or the other parent cannot properly care for a minor child. Examples of these exceptions are a parent is in jail, has been convicted of child abuse or domestic violence, is mentally ...
... or physically unable to provide appropriate care or is on drugs or alcohol to the extent their ability to function satisfactorily is impaired.

The term “shared parenting” is now used to describe how minor children will be cared for and nurtured by both parents.The very nature of the word “shared” indicates that each parent will have quality time with their child. In fact, in most cases, the time spent with each child will be equal, including the number of overnights. There are various ways the court will order the shared parenting, including some days each week and every other weekend, every other week, and six months with each parent. Special times such as birthdays and holidays will be set down in the parenting plan that each couple must develop. Often such times will be every other year, but exceptions can be made as long as both parents agree.

Another interesting development in the care and nurturing of minor children that goes along with shared parenting is the way major decisions must be made. No longer can one parent decide what is best for their child in the areas of education, medical, discipline, and religion. Both parents must discuss and agree on these decisions. Of course, that can be difficult if parents are antagonistic toward each other, but Family courts insist they must put personal issues aside in the best interest of their children. And, if parents refuse to comply, they can be taken to court and held in contempt with a possible fine and or jail sentence.

As the divorce rate in the United States hovers around 50% and higher for second marriages, it is good that the needs of minor children are being taken seriously. Children need both parents to develop into healthy adults, and shared parenting is going a long way to help have this happen.

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Grant J. Gisondo is the founder of Grant J. Gisondo, P.A. to focus his practice on family and marital law with offices in West Palm Beach serving Palm Beach County, Martin County, Saint Lucie County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough and Orange County. Grant J. Gisondo. P.A. is a Board Certified Family Attorney in Palm Beach Gardens FL