Florida Parental Responsibility, Time-Sharing & Support
Current, source-linked Florida terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Florida terminology
Parental responsibility
Who makes major decisions for the child (health care, education, welfare). It is presumptively shared by both parents unless sharing would be detrimental.
Time-sharing
The schedule of when the child is with each parent. It is set out in a Parenting Plan.
Core rules
- Best interest of the child is the primary consideration — Fla. Stat. § 61.13(3)
- Parental responsibility is presumptively shared unless detrimental to the child
- Equal (50/50) time-sharing is a rebuttable presumption, proven against by a preponderance of the evidence
- The court makes specific written findings unless the schedule is agreed and court-approved
- No preference based on a parent’s sex
Support and modification cautions
Florida uses the income-shares model under Fla. Stat. § 61.30 — the parties’ combined net income is matched to the guideline schedule and split proportionally. Equal time-sharing does not itself preclude child support.
Time-sharing or a parenting plan may not be modified without a substantial and material change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding. Child support modification is generally available on a substantial change; the guidelines prove that change when the difference from the existing order is at least 15% or $50, whichever is greater.
- Fla. Stat. § 61.13 — parental responsibility and time-sharing
- Fla. Stat. § 61.30 — child support guidelines
- Florida Courts — Family Law Forms
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the receiving court.