One of the biggest conflicts in divorce and paternity cases involving minor children is school designation authority, known as school boundary determination in Florida. Specifically, the court must decide which parent will have school designation in their Florida parenting plan. This one singular issue often prevents the parties from coming to a full agreement on a parenting plan, even when all other issues have been agreed on. In order to find out why school designation Florida parenting plan is so vital to family law litigants, we must first understand what it is by definition, and why it is so important. School issues after divorce are serious for both parents and children. Call Jacobs Law Firm for guidance with your parenting/timesharing plan. Dial 407-335-8113 today.
School Issues After Divorce
Generally, the custodial parent, meaning the primary timesharing parent, is granted school designation authority in Florida. This often seems logical and rational. Generally speaking, if Mom or Dad lives close to the children’s school and has more time with the kids, and has a track record of establishing a routine and helps the children become responsible kids, the court may award them school boundary determination. The kids will not have to travel far to attend school, and they can remain in the same school district/zone that they attended before their parents started divorcing. This can prevent additional stress and anxiety for the kids. Routines are important. However, in some cases, Mom or Dad has moved because of the break up or divorce and the area where they live has a much better school system with better school ratings and reading and math proficiency levels. Perhaps Mom or Dad’s new school zone is a more appropriate place for the kids to attend.
Access to Better Schools for the Minor Children
The availability of good schools, the distance the parents live from those schools, and the safety and stability of the kids are three factors the court uses to determine school designation in Florida parenting plans. The question is, during settlement negotiations, or during mediation, will the parties themselves consider their children’s best interests in deciding which party has school designation authority. If not, school issues after divorce will likely persist.
Relocation with Minor Children and School Designation Authority
Perhaps adding an extra layer of conflict is parents often relocate with minor children. Jobs and careers change often, and new opportunities are often available in other areas. This may mean that the parent with school designation Florida parenting plan may be allowed to transfer the kids to a new school. This may cause the other side to contest relocation, or to petition the court for school designation authority to be transferred to them, the other parent.
Contact an Orlando Divorce Attorney and Clermont Divorce Attorney today at 407-335-8113 or e-mail us at Admin@JJLawFL.com for help litigating or resolving your school designation authority Florida parenting plan legal issue when you and your children have school issues after divorce. We pride ourselves on suggesting reasonable and practical solutions to help resolve your family law case.