Florida removed the words “custody” and “visitation” from its statutes in 2008. Decision-making is now “parental responsibility,” the schedule is “time-sharing,” and both are written into a court-approved Parenting Plan. Since July 1, 2023, Florida law presumes that equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. This guide covers parental responsibility, the time-sharing presumption, child support, and Florida’s detailed relocation rule.
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Florida frames decision authority as “parental responsibility” (shared by default) and the schedule as “time-sharing.” The document that holds both — required in every case involving minor children — is the “Parenting Plan.” You won’t find “primary residential parent” or “visitation” in current Florida statutes.
Since July 1, 2023, Florida applies a rebuttable presumption that equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. A parent who wants something other than 50/50 has to rebut that presumption by a preponderance of the evidence. This is the opposite of Texas’s Standard Possession Order default — in Florida, equal time is the starting point.
Shared parental responsibility is ordered by default unless the court finds it would be detrimental to the child.
Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)(2)A rebuttable presumption that equal 50/50 time-sharing is in the child’s best interest (since 7/1/2023).
Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(c)(1)Income-shares — both parents’ net incomes on the statutory schedule. Once a parent exercises at least 20% of the overnights, the obligation is grossed up by 1.5x.
Fla. Stat. § 61.30Moving 50+ miles for 60+ days triggers a statutory process: 60-day advance written notice, a 20-day objection window, and an evidentiary hearing where the relocating parent carries the burden.
Fla. Stat. § 61.13001Parents sign the Parenting Plan before a notary public or deputy clerk, and the court must approve it before it becomes an order.
Fla. Stat. § 61.13(2)(b); Fla. Fam. Law Form 12.995(a)The parenting schedule is the foundation of any custody arrangement. Explore the common rotations and build your calendar with Kidtime’s free wizard.
Compare 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 and 80/20 rotations and build the calendar before you commit.
Week-on / week-off — the simplest equal-time rotation, a natural fit for Florida’s 50/50 presumption.
An equal-time schedule with more frequent exchanges — popular for younger kids.
Effectively yes, as a starting point. Since July 1, 2023, Florida law presumes equal (50/50) time-sharing is in the child’s best interest. That presumption is rebuttable — a parent can show a different arrangement serves the child better — but the court begins from equal time.
It’s the court-approved document, required in every Florida case with minor children, that sets out the time-sharing schedule, how parental responsibility (decision-making) is shared, and how the parents handle things like healthcare, school, and communication. Parents sign it before a notary and the judge approves it.
If you’re moving 50 or more miles away for at least 60 days, yes — you need the other parent’s written consent or a court order. Florida’s relocation statute requires 60 days’ advance written notice with specific contents; if the other parent objects within 20 days, you can’t move until the court rules.
Florida uses an income-shares model — both parents’ net incomes go on a statutory schedule and the obligation is split by income share. Crossing 20% of overnights triggers a 1.5x gross-up, so the time-sharing schedule directly affects the support number.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and family law changes. For the controlling text, see Florida Statutes Chapter 61, and consult a licensed Florida family-law attorney about your situation. Last reviewed 2026-07-27.
How custody works in Texas — conservatorship, the Standard Possession Order default schedule, child support, and geographic restrictions. Plain-language guide with statute citations.
How custody works in Ohio — allocation of parental rights, shared parenting plans, parenting time, child support, and relocation. Plain-language guide with statute citations.
Start with the custody schedule — Kidtime's free wizard covers the most-negotiated part of any plan.