If you have court-ordered time-sharing and live in Sarasota or Manatee County during the Coronavirus pandemic, then you should consult Administrative Order 2020-9.12 before making any changes to your Parenting Plan. On April 2, 2020, the Twelfth Judicial Circuit entered an Administrative Order governing Parenting Procedures in the Family Division during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Order provides the following guidance to co-parents with minor children navigating time-sharing during COVID-19:
- All parents should follow Final Judgments and Orders of the Court awarding parental responsibility, decision-making or time-sharing.
- The Governor of the State of Florida issued an Executive Order (Executive Order 20-91), but it does not restrict or prohibit time-sharing. It does not excuse parties of their “obligation to comply” with time-sharing and the terms of the Parenting Plan.
- If one parent is unable to have time-sharing due to COVID-19, that parent must immediately notify the other parent by “whatever means available” so the other parent can make other arrangements.
- Unless an existing Court order provides otherwise, each parent needs to facilitate the other parent’s access to the child.
- Regular time-sharing continues until the last day of school is announced and then summer break time-sharing begins.
- If a child’s school has ended classes for the 2019-2020 school year, then the summer break time-sharing schedule starts immediately.
- Exchanges that normally take place at a school or daycare that is not open should be agreed upon by parents in writing (email, text, parenting computer application).
- If parents cannot agree on the exchange location, they need to file a Motion.
- Video conferencing, phone or electronic contact shall be honored and increased to “regular and consistent contact” to alleviate fears and concerns the child(ren) may be experiencing.
This Order applies to all existing or recently filed family law matters in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. It will be in place until further Order of the Court. It does not change the terms of an Injunction for protection or a criminal “no contact order.” But, a Judge may change a prior Order in individual cases “where the Judge deems necessary.”
Additional local orders may be entered that could change the Court’s directives in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Lexie Larkin specializes in complex family law matters and is well-experienced in solving co-parenting issues, especially in times of duress. If you have questions regarding co-parenting and time-sharing during COVID-19, contact Lexie Larkin at Larkin Law in Tampa, FL.
Originally posted 2020-04-09 17:57:25.
