Every family law matter involving children, whether it is a dissolution or paternity case, requires the entry of a Parenting Plan. A Parenting Plan outlines all aspects of raising the parties' children from time-sharing on a regular basis, time-sharing on holidays, extra-curricular activities, schools, medical choices, etc... The State of Florida no longer uses the terms custody or primary residential parent. Parents now share time with their children.

A Parenting Plan can be entered by agreement of the parties or per a Court Order after an adjudicatory hearing. A Parenting Plan affords parents a back-up schedule to follow should the parents not agree on decisions affecting the children. If the parents agree on decisions affecting their children they can implement those choices, however, for purposes of having keeping parents and children out of the Courts as much as possible, if the parents do not agree, they must follow the strictures of the Parenting Plan approved by the Court