Custody

In Florida, the courts have moved away from using the term “custody” for parents’ rights. Instead of “awarding custody,” the judge will “assign parental responsibility.”

Having parental responsibility means you have the right to make decisions for and about your children and to handle the regular tasks of raising your children. Parental responsibility can be assigned to both parents (shared parental responsibility) or to just one of them (sole parental responsibility).¹

The judge will also approve or create a time-sharing schedule, which specifies when the child will spend time with each parent.² The parental responsibility and time-sharing arrangements must be described in detail in a written parenting plan.³

¹ Fla. Stat. §§ 61.046(17), (18); 61.13(2)(b)(1), (2)(c)(2)-(5)
² Fla. Stat. § 61.046(23)
³ Fla. Stat. §§ 61.046(14); 61.13(2)(b)