Parenting Plan

TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE HINTS OTHER PROVISIONS

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:25:00 -0400

TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE HINTS – OTHER PROVISIONS

1. CANCELLATION BY A PARENT : Except for emergencies the following rules shall apply to cancellations:

a. Twenty - four hours notice shall be given by the parent entitled to Time-sharing with the child if Time-sharings will not be exercised for the weekday or weekend.

b. A minimum of one week's notice shall be given by the parent entitled to Time-sharing for a holiday, birthday or special occasion if Time-sharing will not be exercised.

c. A minimum of thirty days notice shall be given in writing by the parent entitled to Time-sharing for Christmas, annual vacation or a period of one week or greater if Time-sharing will not be exercised.

d. The parent seeking cancellation shall arrange and pay for babysitting, child care or other appropriate supervision of the child for the Time-sharing period, to the extent such expense is due to the cancellation. ANY TIME-SHARING CANCELED BY A PARENT SHALL BE FORFEITED.

2. MEDICATION ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT: If medication or physical therapy has been prescribed for the child, then both parents shall maintain without fail all medical prescription dosages and/or medical therapy as may be prescribed for the child. The doctor's name and phone number shall be shared. In the event of a serious illness or accident happening to the child while in the care of one parent, the other parent shall be notified as soon as practicable but no later than three hours after the incident or diagnosis. ILLNESS OF THE CHILD SHALL NOT PREVENT TIME-SHARING WITH THE CHILD, UNLESS THE CHILD IS HOSPITALIZED.

3. COMMUNICATIONS: Provided that each parent has a telephone located in their home or a cell phone, the child shall be entitled to reasonable telephone communication with both parents. Each parent shall immediately deliver to the child all letters, cards, correspondence, gifts, toys, clothes and other items sent to that child by the other parent. Neither parent shall withhold, return, destroy, give away, sell or otherwise dispose of any such items. If either parent plans a vacation or trip out of town with the child for three days or more, that parent must provide the other parent with a general itinerary, a phone number where the child can be reached and the dates of departure and return.

4. SCHEDULED EVENTS: Both parents shall be entitled and are encouraged to attend and participate in special activities in which the child is engaged, such as school programs, graduation, sports, recitals and other extracurricular activities. In the event that the child has extracurricular activity, then the parent that is caring for the child when the activity is scheduled should assure the child's attendance. The child's wishes shall be taken into account. Each parent shall advise the other parent of extracurricular activities in which the child participates within twenty?four hours of notification of an activity or event. Each parent shall make an effort not to schedule activities for the child during the other parent's time with the child. .

5. TRANSPORTATION:The Father shall pick up the child for Time-sharing and Mother shall pick up the child after Time-sharing. A parent's spouse or grandparent may substitute for the parent in transporting the child to and from Time-sharing. Any other third party shall be agreed to by both parents.

6. WAITING: A child shall be picked up or delivered within thirty (30) minutes of the

Scheduled time of exchange. If the a parent is more than thirty minutes late

and creates a hardship as a result, Time-sharing shall be forfeited for that Time-sharing period.

7. ADEQUATE AND CLEAN CLOTHING FOR TIME-SHARING: shall be supplied by Each parent and all these clothes shall be returned in the same clean condition by the other parent after each Time-sharing period. If the child is an INFANT TO 18 MONTHS, Mother shall supply formula, clean clothing, blankets, diapers, pacifiers, wipes, toys and infant car seats to the Father as may be needed. All unconsumed items shall be returned with the child.

8. CHANGES IN ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS: Neither parent shall conceal the whereabouts of the child from the other parent. Each parent shall advise the other parent at all

times of the residence address and telephone number where the child will be as well as the work

telephone number for each parent. If a residence or telephone number changes, the parent making the change shall notify the other parent personally or by telephone within 24 hours and in writing within 72 hours of the change.

9. FLEXIBILITY AND THE BEST INTERESTS OF YOUR CHILD; Each parent is encouraged to mutually agree to change this schedule to meet the needs of our child first, and

ourselves secondly. The parents may, by mutual agreement, change the terms of this agreement. Parties are encouraged to put such changes in writing, If the parties cannot agree, this schedule must be adhered to or the parent in violation of this schedule may be held in contempt of Court.

TIME SHARING SCHEDULE TIPS ANNUAL VACATIONS

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:07:00 -0400

TIME SHARING SCHEDULE TIPS – ANNUAL VACATIONS

ANNUAL VACATION: Time-sharing shall be as follows:

I) CHILDREN AGE 18 MONTHS THROUGH SIX YEARS: Three one week periods during the summer to start no sooner than the first full week of June and to end no later than the last full week of August. In the event that written notification is not given ( as set forth in section v Scheduling Annual Vacation), time-sharing shall be the second full week of June, the second full week of July and the first full week of August. The one week Time-sharing period shall begin 6:00 p.m. Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. the following Friday.

ii) CHILDREN AGE SIX THROUGH TWELVE YEARS: Four weeks during the summer to start no sooner than one full week after the last day of school and to end no later that one full week before the first day of school. Time-sharing may be exercised in one three week period plus a one week period or two two week periods that shall not be consecutive. In the event that written notification, is not given as set forth in section v Scheduling Annual Vacation), time-sharing shall be the last two full weeks of June and the last two full weeks of July. Parents shall schedule annual vacation Time-sharing within the confines of the school calendar including year around schooling and summer school if applicable.

iii) CHILDREN TWELVE AND OLDER: Six weeks during summer vacation to start no sooner than one full week after the last day of school and to end no later than one full week before the first day of school. Time-sharing may be exercised in three two week periods or two three week periods that shall not be consecutive. In the event that written notification is not given as set forth in section v). Scheduling Annual Vacation, Time-sharing shall be the last three full weeks or June and the last two full weeks of July and the first full week of August. Parents shall schedule annual vacation Time-sharing within the confines of the school calendar including year round schooling and summer school if applicable.

iv). CHILDREN IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPINGS. lf there are two or more CHILDREN whose ages span different age groupings entitling the CHILDREN to different Time-sharing periods with the Father, then the younger CHILDREN shall get the benefit of the oldest child's Time-sharing schedule. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANTS (AGE BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS). PARENTS OF INFANTS MUST FOLLOW THE INFANT TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE FOR THE INFANT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE INFANT HAS OLDER SIBLINGS.

v). SCHEDULING ANNUAL VACATION: The Father will have first choice of annual vacation Time-sharing and shall designate in writing his choice for annual vacation no later than April l5th of each year. Unless specifically prohibited by Court order, either parent may temporary remove the child from the State of _______ for purpose of annual Time-sharing for no more than 21 continuous days only if the parent traveling with the child provides the other parent with a written general itinerary and contact phone numbers where the child can be contacted during the vacation.

Time-sharing Hints Age 2 and Older

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:10:00 -0400

REGULAR TIME-SHARING (AGE 18 MONTHS AND OLDER):

1. WEEKENDS: The Father shall be entitled to alternate weekend

Time-sharing. Time-sharing shall begin Friday at 6:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. It is not the responsibility of the Mother to provide food or shelter for the child during the Father's Time-sharing.

2. WEEKDAY TIME-SHARING: The Father shall have Time-sharing with the school age child one evening per week from the time school releases until 9:00 p.m. If the child is preschool age, Time-sharing shall be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This shall be the same evening each week and varied only if it conflicts with the holiday or vacation schedule, if the parties cannot agree on the week night, it shall be Wednesday evening.

3. HOLIDAYS: In odd?numbered years, the Father shall spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend, Easter, July 4th Weekend, Thanksgiving and the first half of Christmas vacation with the minor child; and Mother shall be entitled to spend Spring Break Vacation, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Halloween, and the second half of Christmas vacation with the minor child. In even?numbered years, the schedule shall be reversed. The Holiday schedule shall preempt weekday and weekend Time-sharing schedules. The Court recognizes that this schedule and the typical school schedule revolves around Christian holidays. If either or both parties celebrate other holidays, then they should be written down, divided and alternated each year.

a. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. DAY: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. Monday.

b. EASTER: Easter often falls within the spring vacation period. In the event that it does not, then the secondary residential parent shall spend Easter with the child during odd?numbered years, and Mother during even?numbered years. If Easter falls within the spring vacation period, then Time-sharing shall be with the parent entitled to spend the spring vacation period with the child. Easter Time-sharing hours shall be from 6.00 p m Friday and end at 6:00 p.m Sunday.

c. MOTHER'S DAY: Shall be spent with the mother every year. In the event the holiday falls on a weekend that is scheduled to be spent with the other parent Time-sharing hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Mother’s Day. This Time-sharing shall not affect vacation Time-sharing.

d. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. Monday.

e. FATHER'S DAY: shall be spent with the father every year. In the event the holiday falls on a weekend that is scheduled to be spent with the other parent, Time-sharing hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Fathers Day, This Time-sharing shall not affect vacation Time-sharing.

f. JULY FOURTH WEEKEND: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. July 3rd and end at 9:00 a.m. July 5th. If the holiday falls on a weekend, then Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 9:00 a.m on Tuesday. .

g. LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. Monday.

h. HALLOWEEN / OCTOBER 31ST: If the holiday falls on a weekday Time-sharing. shall be from 3:00 p.m. or when school releases until 9:00 p.m.; If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

i. THANKSGIVING: Shall begin on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 6:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

j. CHRISTMAS VACATION: The first half of the Christmas Time-sharing period shall begin at 6:00 p.m December 18th and end at 10:30 p.m. December 24th. The second half of the Christmas Time-sharing period shall begin 10:30 p.m. December 24th and end at noon January lst.

k. MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY: shall be spent with the mother every year. lf the mother is the Father and the mother's birthday is on a weekday, Time-sharing hours shall be from 3:00 p.m. or when school releases until 9:00 p.m. If the mother's birthday is on a weekend that is scheduled to be spent with the other parent; Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the mother's birthday. This Time-sharing will not affect holiday or vacation Time-sharing.

l. FATHER'S BIRTHDAY: shall be spent with the father every year. If the father is the Father and the fathers birthday is on a weekday, Time-sharing hours shall be from 3:00 p.m. or when school releases until 9:00 p.m.. If the father's birthday is on a weekend that is scheduled to be spent with the other parent, Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the father's birthday. This Time-sharing will not affect holiday or vacation Time-sharing.

m. CHILD'S BIRTHDAY: The child shall celebrate his or her birthday with the Father in odd?numbered years and Mother in even? numbered years. In years that the child spends his or her birthday with the Father, if the child's birthday falls on a weekday, Time-sharing shall be from 3:00 p.m. or when school releases until 9:00 p.m.. lf the child's birthday falls on a weekend that is scheduled to be with the other parent, Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the child's birthday. The parent holding a birthday party for the child may wish to consider inviting the other parent. This Time-sharing shall not affect holiday or vacation Time-sharing.

TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE TIPS INFANTS

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:38:00 -0400

TIME-SHARING SCHEDULE TIPS INFANTS

TIME-SHARING IS FOR THE PRIMARY BENEFIT OF THE CHILD.

TIME-SHARING SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS A PRIVILEGE TO BE EXERCISED AT THE WHIM OF EITHER PARENT, BUT AS A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH SHOULD BE FULFILLED ABSENT NECESSARY CAUSE. EACH PARENT

IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EACH CHILD AT UNSCHEDULED TIMES IF

REQUESTED AND IF TO DO SO WOULD NOT UNREASONABLY DISRUPT PRIOR PLANNED ACTIVITIES OF THE CHILD OF THE OTHER PARENT.

A. INFANT TIME-SHARING (INFANTS TO 18 MONTHS) : Infants are in

particular need of receiving continuity and consistency of care and to establish a meaningful bond with both parents, the following Time-sharing guideline should balance the needs of both parent and infant, regardless of whether that infant has older siblings that enjoy extended Time-sharing with the secondary residential parent.

l. WEEKENDS: Alternate weekend Time-sharing for 1 day each parent. Time-sharing shall begin Friday at 6:00 p.m. and end Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

2. WEEKDAY TIME-SHARING: Time-sharing two evenings per week from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. These shall be the same two evenings every week and varied only if it conflicts with the holiday or vacation schedule or business necessity. If the parties cannot agree, weekday Time-sharing shall be on Monday and Wednesday.

3. HOLIDAYS: In odd?numbered years, the Father shall be entitled to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day with the

minor child; and Mother shall be entitled to Memorial Day, Labor Day,

Christmas Eve and New Years; in even?numbered years, the schedule shall be reversed. The

Holiday schedule shall preempt weekday and weekend Time-sharing schedules. The Court recognizes that this schedule revolves around Christian holidays. If either or both parties celebrate other holidays, then they should be written down, divided and alternated each year.

a. NEW YEARS: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m. New Years Eve (December 31st) and end at 6:00 p.m. on New Years Day (January 1st).

b. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. DAY: Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the official holiday.

c. EASTER: Time-sharing shall begin at 6:00 p.m, on the Saturday before Easter Sunday and end at 6:00 p.m. Easter Sunday.

d. MOTHER’S DAY: Shall be spent with the mother every year with priority over any other Time-sharing schedule Time-sharing hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

e. MEMORIAL DAY: Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the official holiday,

f. FATHER'S DAY: shall be spent with the father every year with priority over any other Time-sharing schedule Time-sharing hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

g. JULY FOURTH, and LABOR DAY: Time-sharing shall be from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the official holiday.

h. THANKSGIVING: Time-sharing shall begin on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 6:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving day.

i. CHRISTMAS EVE: Time-sharing shall begin at noon on Christmas Eve and end at 10:00 a.m Christmas Day.

j. CHRISTMAS DAY: Time-sharing shall begin at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day and end at noon on December 26th.

k. MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY: shall be spent with the mother every year. If the mother is the secondary residential parent and the mother’s birthday is on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, Time-sharing hours shall be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. If the mother’s birthday is on a Friday or Saturday, Time-sharing shall be from 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. This Time-sharing will not affect holiday Time-sharing.

l. FATHER'S BIRTHDAY: shall be spent with the father every year. If the father is the secondary residential parent and the father’s birthday is on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, Time-sharing hours shall be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.. If the father's birthday is on a Friday or Saturday, Time-sharing shall be from 6:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. This Time-sharing will not affect holiday Time-sharing.

m. CHILD'S BIRTHDAY: The child shall celebrate his or her birthday with the Father in odd numbered years and Mother in even numbered years. In years that the child spends his or her birthday with the Father, if the child's birthday falls on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, Time-sharing shall be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; if the child's birthday falls on a Friday or Saturday, Time-sharing shall be from 6:00 p.m, on the birthday and end at 6:00 p.m, on day after the birthday. The parent holding a birthday party for the child may wish to consider inviting the other parent.

n. ANNUAL TIME-SHARING FOR INFANTS (BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS):. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, regular weekend and weekday Time-sharing shall be maintained year around.

Norman D. Levin, Esquire 407-834-9494 www.helpisontheway.cc

How I Use ParBasic To Create Parenting Plans For My Clients

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:38:00 -0400

By: Norman D. Levin, Esquire

Board Certified Marital & Family Law

Longwood, FL

(407)834-9494

ndlevin@helpisontheway.cc

I have been preparing parenting plans or parenting agreements for clients for over 25 years and it is as a result of that experience that I developed ParBasic as a method for individuals to design a comprehensive parenting plan without needing an attorney. Please don’t misunderstand me. Most clients need an attorney for this important task. However, some people, either cannot afford this or choose to proceed on their own. ParBasic provides them the chance to follow my method without hiring me.

On this Blog I will periodically give away some of my means of dealing with parenting plan issues that ParBasic users can use for their cases.

To prepare a parenting plan you need to consider a varied list of issues and make provision for them. Fathers, who often have not had thorough involvement should make provisions to assure future involvement. Mothers need to maintain continuity for your children and join with your new parenting partner.

It is not difficult with ParBasic. Download the software. Open the program. Read the instructions. And choose the first questionnaire – Parenting Plan Questionnaire. Then begin answering the questions, one at a time, and as you end a page, click the next button at the bottom and repeat for the next question.

When we do this in the office, we discuss the questions with our clients, and urge clients to think through their answers. We give them suggestions of alternative answers. When you use ParBasic, on your own, we ask you to do the same. Think through your answers and provide the answers that will promote your child’s best interests.

After you go through all questions and either answer them or skip the ones that you feel are not needed for your plan, click to print ICON and your proposed plan comes out. I’ll send you more as days go on. Check some of the other listed blogs from me and other ParBasic Users. This is a true lawyers tool used all over the country.

Good Luck

Norman Levin