Florida custody help

Florida Custody Agreement Help for Parents

Florida uses time-sharing and parenting-plan language instead of custody and visitation. Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes sets what a parenting plan must cover and how relocation works.

Florida guides on this site

Start with the guide that matches the paragraph you're trying to read.

Florida parenting plan guideWhat Florida parents should check in a parenting plan. Custody holiday schedule templateHow to make holiday terms easier to follow. School enrollment custodyWhat to check when school decisions or addresses create conflict. Make-up parenting timeHow missed time and make-up time usually show up in agreements.

Florida rules behind most parenting plans

These are general rules from Chapter 61. Your parenting plan and the facts of your case control how they apply.

  1. Equal time-sharing is the starting point. Unless the parents agree otherwise, Florida law presumes equal time-sharing is in the child's best interests. A parent who wants a different schedule has to prove equal time-sharing is not in the child's best interests. (Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c))
  2. What a parenting plan has to say. A court-approved plan must describe the time-sharing schedule and name who is responsible for health care, for school matters (including which address is used for school boundaries and registration), and for other activities. (§ 61.13(2)(b))
  3. What counts as relocation. Moving at least 50 miles from the principal residence for at least 60 consecutive days is a relocation. Vacations, school and health-care stays don't count. (§ 61.13001(1)(e))
  4. How a relocation happens. Either everyone signs a written relocation agreement with a new schedule, or the moving parent files and serves a sworn petition. An objection must be filed within 20 days of service. If nobody objects in time, the court may allow the move without a hearing. (§ 61.13001(2)-(3))

Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 61. Checked September 2026. Laws change; confirm the current text or ask a family-law attorney licensed in Florida. Educational only, not legal advice.