Parenting Plans And Time Sharing
Fla. Stat. 61.13 — a presumption of equal time sharing, and shared responsibility
In Florida, it is public policy that each minor child has frequent and continuing contact with both parents after they separate or divorce. Unless the statute provides otherwise or the parties agree, there is a rebuttable presumption that equal time sharing is in the child's best interests.
Parental responsibility is shared unless sharing it would be detrimental to the child. The court orders that parental responsibility be shared by both parents unless it finds that would be detrimental to the child, and may give one parent the final say over particular areas, such as education or health care.
The best interests of the child are the primary consideration in establishing or modifying parental responsibility or a parenting plan. Among the factors the statute lists is the reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child of sufficient intelligence, understanding and experience to express one.
Certain convictions create a presumption against shared responsibility or time sharing. A parent may not be denied shared responsibility or time sharing solely because of HIV status. An order for equal time sharing does not prevent a child support order.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 61.13 — Support of children; parenting and time-sharing; powers of court
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.