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121 verbatim mandatory provisions from AO 2024-33 Shared Parenting Plan for Okaloosa/ Walton Counties.
First Judicial Circuit. Check the order's own effective and rescission dates before relying on it. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from the order's own text layer, harvested 2026-07-24; whitespace normalised only. No OCR was used. Only sentences containing mandatory language (shall, must, may not, no later than, within N) are reproduced — the full document is in custody and is the controlling text. • SHARED PARENTING PLAN FOR OKALOOSA/WALTON COUNTIES WHEREAS, the Chief Judge is required to develop an administrative plan for the efficient and proper administration of all courts within the Circuit pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.215(b)(3); and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of parents involved in family law cases to be aware of their duties and responsibilities to the children involved; • The Shared Parenting Plan shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of the action unless and until modified or terminated by court order; 4. • Okaloosa County Judges Walton County Judges Clerk of Court, Walton County Clerk of Court, Okaloosa County Kasey Watson, Trial Court Administrator Okaloosa Bar Association Walton Bar Association For publication at: www.FirstJudicialCircuit.org -- 1 of 21 -- OKALOOSA/WALTON PARENTING PLAN When should this form be used? A parenting plan is required in all cases involving time-sharing with minor child(ren), even when time-sharing is not in dispute. • Both parties must sign the Parenting Plan and have their signatures witnessed by a notary public or deputy clerk. • If an agreed Parenting Plan is not filed by the parties, the Court shall establish a Plan. • Pursuant to Florida Statute 61.13(2)(b), at a minimum, the Parenting Plan must describe in adequate detail: • How the parties will share and be responsible for the daily tasks associated with the upbringing of the child(ren), • The time-sharing schedule arrangements that specify the time that the minor child(ren) will spend with each parent, • A designation of who will be responsible for any and all forms of health care. • In creating the Parenting Plan, all circumstances between the parties, including the parties' historic relationship, domestic violence, and other factors must be taken into consideration. • Determination of the best interests of the child(ren) shall be made by evaluating all the factors detailed in Florida Statute 61.13 (3)(a)-(t) affecting the welfare and interest of the minor child(ren), including, but not limited to: • The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required; • The anticipated division of parental responsibility after the litigation, including the extent to which parental responsibilities will be delegated to third parties; • The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child(ren) as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent; • The length of time the child(ren) has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity; • The geographic viability of the parenting plan, with special attention paid to the needs of school-age children and the amount of time spent traveling to effectuate the parenting plan. • If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of the Disclosure from Nonlawyer, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he/she helps you. • A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his/her name, address and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he/she helps you complete. -- 4 of 21 -- Checklist to Ensure Shared Parenting Plan is Complete Use this checklist as a guide to help ensure you have completed every section of the Shared Parenting Plan before filing the Plan with the Court. • If you choose B.1.3, you MUST attach an addendum on page 8. ☐ IF you choose B.2. • Specific Schedule, you MUST attach an addendum. -- 5 of 21 -- ☐ IF you choose Alternate Weekends, check the boxes in B.3.1 for the weekend plan AND B.3.2 for the weekday plan on page 9. ☐ Choose Holiday Plan on page 10 - choose EITHER B.4.1 a Specific Schedule and you MUST attach an addendum OR B.4.2 Shared Holidays Reverse Each Year on page 10. ☐ For Back Up Care choose EITHER B.5.1 a Specific Schedule and you MUST attach an addendum OR 5.2. • Source (MUST choose one) ☐A shared parenting plan agreed upon by the parties ☐A proposed shared parenting plan submitted by the ____ Petitioner ____ Respondent ☐A shared parenting plan established by the Court Type of Parenting Plan: • (MUST choose one) ☐A Temporary Parenting Plan ☐A Final Parenting Plan ☐A Modification of a Prior Final Parenting Plan or Prior Final Order ☐A Long-Distance Parenting Plan (Addendum shall be attached to this Shared Parenting Plan) Parents: • This Parenting Plan shall be submitted to the Circuit Court in and for Okaloosa or Walton County, Florida. • The courts of the State of Florida shall retain exclusive continuing jurisdiction in regard to all matters set forth herein for so long as either parent or the child(ren) continue to reside in the State of Florida or until such time as the courts of the State of Florida explicitly relinquish jurisdiction. • PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES (MUST choose one) ☐Shared Parental Responsibility- The Petitioner and Respondent shall share parental responsibility of their minor child(ren) and shall retain full parental rights and responsibilities with respect to their minor children as set forth in this Shared Parenting Plan. -- 8 of 21 -- 3 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent ☐Sole Parental Responsibility- ☐Petitioner OR ☐Respondent shall have sole parental responsibility for the minor child(ren) and therefore shall have sole decision-making for the minor child(ren). • Each Parent shall follow the below identified parenting decision-making provisions in order: • Each parent shall confer with the other parent regarding all major decisions affecting the welfare of the minor child(ren). • The parties shall make a good faith effort to jointly make such decisions in the best interest of the minor child(ren). ☐A.3.2. • Third Party Dispute Assistance – For A.3.2. to be applicable, the parties or the court must check the box in front of A.3.2. • In the event the parties cannot agree upon a major decision affecting their child(ren) then they shall make good faith efforts to resolve such disputes using third party resources such as counselors, mediators, parenting coordinators or other agreed upon third parties. • However, the parent so consenting to the mental health treatment must notify the other parent in writing within 24 hours of consenting to the treatment or making an appointment for mental health treatment. • DAILY TASK RESPONSIBILITY- Each parent shall be responsible for the daily tasks associated with raising the child(ren) while the child(ren) are in the physical custody of that parent, including but not limited to ensuring the minor child(ren) are fed, appropriately clothed for the weather, timely delivered and picked up from school/daycare, homework is completed, and are timely attending extracurricular activities. • For school zone/transportation determination, registration, enrollment and completing all necessary paperwork for the child(ren)’s enrollment in school the address for the ☐Petitioner or ☐ Respondent (choose ONLY one) shall control. • BOTH parents shall be listed on the emergency contact list and pick up/drop off list for the school. • If the school does not allow both parents to be listed on the emergency contact list and pick up/drop off list proof of the prohibition from the school shall be provided to the other parent immediately. • Both parties MUST agree to change the school of the minor child(ren) before any child is enrolled or disenrolled in any -- 9 of 21 -- 4 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent school. • The parents shall communicate between each other concerning the child(ren) by (Choose all that apply): ☐In person ☐ Telephone ☐ Text Message ☐ Talking Parents ☐ Family Wizard ☐ App Close ☐ Other A.7. • Each parent shall provide a telephone number where the other parent can be reached at all times. • Each parent shall file their new address with the Clerk of Court no later than 10 days after the change of permanent address. • Each parent shall at all reasonable times have the means to connect with the minor child(ren) and/or other parent via telephone or video conferencing and shall provide any updated means of communication if necessary prior to travel. • Each parent must provide lodging and commercial transportation information to the other parent when traveling with the child(ren). • Each parent shall ensure that both parents have equal access to any records of the minor child(ren) to include education, mental, dental, vision and extracurricular records. • Neither parent shall in any way obstruct or hinder the other parent from obtaining any records related to the minor child(ren). • Should any provider not allow for both parents to independently access any record of the minor child(ren) then the parent with access shall immediately upon receipt or access to records provide said record to the other parent. • Any absence from school shall be immediately reported to the other parent. • Each parent has the right to be reasonable and timely informed as to the schedule of such activities and shall be entitled to attend said activities. • Both parents shall make good faith efforts to drop off/pick up the minor child(ren) timely for their activities. • Neither parent shall make commitments for the minor child(ren) during a time when the child(ren) would be with the other parent without first reaching an agreement with the other parent about such commitment. • Each parent shall ensure the other parent is timely notified of any such activity. • The allocation of costs between the parties which are incurred on behalf of the child(ren) participating in religious, school, and extracurricular activities shall be specifically address in the Court Order or agreement in which this Shared Parenting Plan is ratified. • When a parent fails to pay any ordered support or expenses for the benefit of the minor child(ren), the payee parent shall not refuse to honor the payor’s timesharing and parenting rights established in this Shared Parenting Plan. • In addition, when a parent refuses to honor the other’s timesharing and parenting rights established in this Shared Parenting Plan, the payor parent shall continue to pay the previously ordered support and/or expenses. • Each parent shall make diligent efforts to maintain full access to the minor child(ren). • Each parent shall foster and encourage a positive relationship between the minor child(ren) and other parent, other parent’s family members and their significant others. • Each parent shall encourage the minor child(ren) to respect the other parent and the other parent’s family members and/or significant other. • The parents shall recognize the fact that having different views does not mean either individual is a bad or inadequate parent. • The parties shall be courteous to each other, especially in the presence of the minor child(ren). • Neither parent shall allow third parties to do or say anything to, or in the presence of, the minor child(ren) that will interfere with the love and affection the minor child(ren) have for the other parent. • Each parent shall immediately make available upon receipt, the ability for the other parent to obtain any “official” photograph of the minor child(ren) from any school, religious and/or extracurricular activities. • Each parent shall allow the minor child(ren) to keep and display a photograph of the other parent in the child(ren)’s bedroom. • Neither parent shall have the minor child(ren) deliver money or messages from one parent to the other and thus place the child(ren) in the middle; • Neither parent shall ask the minor child(ren) to keep secrets from the other parent; • Neither parent shall interrogate the minor child(ren) about what is going on at the other parent’s residence; • Neither parent shall say unkind things about the other parent, their family or significant other to the minor child(ren) or in the presence of the minor child(ren) or permit others to do so; • Neither parent shall try to conduct parental business when exchanging the minor child(ren) for timesharing; • Neither parent shall put on a long, sad face when exchanging the minor child(ren); • Neither parent shall discuss, in the presence of the minor child(ren), issues of financial support to include whether or not financial support is paid, or how much financial support is paid or owed. • Neither parent shall ask the minor child(ren) directly or indirectly with which parent the minor child prefers to live; • Neither parent shall allow the minor child(ren) to take control of timesharing or decide whether the minor child(ren) will participate in timesharing; • Neither parent shall have the minor child(ren) refer to anyone as any form of “mom” or “dad” or any derivative thereof except the parties; • Neither parent shall eavesdrop or unnecessarily interrupt the minor child(ren)’s electronic and/or telephonic contact with the other parent; • Neither parent shall use, or allow to be used, any name for the minor child(ren) except the minor child(ren)’s last name. • Contact with law enforcement in violation of A.7.15 or the knowing provision of false information regarding domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, child abandonment or neglect shall be considered bad faith. -- 13 of 21 -- 8 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent PART B TIMESHARING PLAN AND TIMESHARING RELATED ISSUES Choose one of the following: • To rebut this presumption a parent must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that equal timesharing is not in the best interest of the minor child(ren). • The court must make specific written findings in the order of the court that equal timesharing is not in the best interest evaluating the factors in Florida Statute 61.13(3). • The parties shall equally share overnights with the minor child(ren) exchanging the minor child(ren) every when the custodial parent delivers the minor child(ren) to school and the non-custodial parent picks up the minor child from school. • The parties shall equally share the overnights with the minor child(ren) exchanging the minor child(ren) every (day) when the non-custodial parent delivers the minor child(ren) to the other parent at (location) at (time). • Any changes to the time or location of the exchange shall be in writing and agreed upon by both parties. • The Court shall make findings in the final order adopting this Shared Parenting Plan that overcomes the presumption that equal timesharing is in the best interest of the minor child(ren). • The ☐Petitioner or ☐Respondent shall have weekend timesharing with the minor child(ren) every other weekend from the time school adjourns on Friday (or 3:00 PM if school is not in session) until the following Monday morning when the custodial parent timely delivers the minor child(ren) to school/daycare (or 8:30 AM if school is not in session) with first visitation commencing on B.3.1.1. • Weekend timesharing shall be extended until Tuesday morning if such Monday is a legal or school holiday/teacher workdays based on the school schedule published by the school district for which the minor child(ren) are enrolled. • Weekend timesharing shall commence when school adjourns on Thursday before a scheduled weekend timesharing if Friday is a legal or school holiday based on the school schedule published by the school district for which the minor child(ren) are enrolled. • If the parties are utilizing weekend timesharing plan with the minor child(ren), then the ☐Petitioner OR ☐Respondent shall have timesharing with the minor child(ren) at all times during the week except ☐ Petitioner or ☐Respondent shall have timesharing with the minor child(ren) each Wednesday from when school adjourns through (CHOOSE ONE) ☐Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM ☐The following Thursday morning when the minor child(ren) are timely returned to school or 8:30 AM if school is not in session. -- 15 of 21 -- 10 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent B.4. • (CHOOSE ONE) The foregoing timesharing periods shall be superseded by the holiday/special timesharing periods identified in paragraph B.4. set forth below and superseded by any extended weekend holiday periods (i.e. • The parties shall have holiday/special timesharing with the minor child(ren) as outlined in the addendum attached to this Shared Parenting Plan. • The parties shall have holiday/special timesharing with the minor child(ren) in accordance with the paragraphs below: • The parents shall each be entitled to one half of the December Holiday Break (measured from the day school adjourns until the day before school reconvenes). • In even numbered years the Petitioner shall have the minor child(ren) for the first one-half of the December holiday break (including Christmas Day) and the Respondent shall have the child(ren) for the second one-half of the December holiday break. • In odd numbered years, Respondent shall have the child(ren) for the first one-half of the December holiday break (including Christmas Day) and the Petitioner shall have the child(ren) for the second one-half of the December holiday school break. • The child(ren) shall transition to the other parent for the second half of the December holiday break at 12:00 PM. on the day between the two halves of the December break (if the calculated number of days of the December break is odd) or at 12:00 PM on the second parent’s time (if the calculated number of days of December Holiday break is even). • Notwithstanding the division of the December Holiday Break provided above, in the event the second one-half of the break is scheduled to begin on or before December 25 in any calendar year, the second one-half of the break shall begin at 12:00 PM on December 26. • The Respondent shall be entitled to have the minor child(ren) for Thanksgiving timesharing in even numbered years and the Petitioner shall be entitled to have the minor child(ren) for Thanksgiving timesharing in odd numbered years. • The Petitioner shall be entitled to have the minor child(ren) for Spring Break timesharing in even numbered years and the Respondent shall be entitled to have the minor child(ren) for Spring Break timesharing in odd numbered years. “Spring Break” commences when school ends on the last day of school preceding Spring Break -- 16 of 21 -- 11 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent and ends on the following Monday morning when the child(ren) are timely delivered to school. • The Respondent shall be entitled to have the child(ren) on Easter during odd numbered years starting at 5:00 PM on the Saturday before Easter Sunday until 5:00 PM on Easter Sunday. • The Petitioner shall be entitled to have the child(ren) on Easter during even numbered years starting at 5:00 PM on the Saturday before Easter Sunday until 5:00 PM on Easter Sunday. • This timesharing shall supersede all other weekend, weekday, or Spring Break timesharing periods. • The Petitioner shall be entitled to have the child(ren) for timesharing on Halloween during even numbered years between the time that school adjourns (or 2:00 PM if not a school day until 9:00 PM) The Respondent shall be entitled to have the child(ren) for timesharing on Halloween during odd numbered years between the time that school adjourns (or 2:00 PM if not a school day until 9:00 PM). • This timesharing shall supersede all other weekend or weekday timesharing periods. • The parties shall continue with the weekday/weekend timesharing elected above with the exception that both parents have the option for one two-week continuous timesharing with the minor child(ren). • The parent electing to utilize the two-week continuous timesharing must notify the other parent in writing by May 1 of their intent to utilize this provision. • The Petitioner shall have the option to utilize their continuous two-week visitation in June in even years and in July in odd years. • The Respondent shall have the option to utilize their continuous two-week visitation in July in even years and June in odd years. • Notwithstanding any of the above, the child(ren) shall be allowed to spend Father's Day and the Father’s birthday with the child(ren)’s Father and Mother’s Day and the Mother’s birthday with the children’s Mother between the hours of 5:00 PM the day before and 5:00 PM the day of the event. • If such is not possible, then the child(ren) shall celebrate their birthdays with the Petitioner during odd numbered years and with the Respondent on even numbered years between the hours of 5:00 PM (child(ren)’s local time) the day before the child(ren)’s birthday and 5:00 PM (child(ren)’s local time) the day of the child(ren)’s birthday. • The child(ren)’s siblings (in common with the parties) shall celebrate the birthday with the child(ren) and accompany the child(ren) with the Petitioner during odd numbered years and with the Respondent on even numbered years between the hours of 5:00 PM the day before the child(ren)’s -- 17 of 21 -- 12 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent birthday and 5:00 PM the day of the child(ren)’s birthday (i.e., all children the parties share in common shall accompany one another for this special timesharing to celebrate one another’s birthdays together). • The parties shall have backup timesharing with their minor child(ren) in accordance with the specific terms in the addendum attached. • The parties shall have backup care rights/timesharing with the minor child(ren) as follows: • A parent shall give the other parent reasonable advance notice of his/her intent to leave a child with a third party, other than a present spouse, grandparent, other blood relative, or bona fide educational program (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), for a period of six (6) hours or more. • The other parent shall then have the right to care for the child(ren) during such period of time. • If a parent intends to leave the child(ren) in the care of any third party (including present spouse, grandparent, or other blood relative) for a period of time in excess of 24 hours, then the other parent shall have the right to have the child(ren) with him or her provided the parties live in the same geographic area, and provided such would not cause a change in the child(ren)’s school or interruption in the child(ren)’s schooling. -- 18 of 21 -- 13 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent The parties’ back up care rights with the minor child(ren) ☐do OR ☐do not apply during the deployment of a parent for purposes of the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act pursuant to Florida Statutes 61.703-61.773. • Each parent shall offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the minor child(ren) before using a third party to care for the minor child(ren) for any period exceeding hours. • Both parents shall maintain maximum flexibility in developing alternatives to any rigid timesharing schedules identified above. • Each parent shall continue to encourage timesharing with the other parent and foster a positive relationship with the other parent. • Each parent shall encourage and prioritize the social, educational and extracurricular activities of the teenager over the rigid timesharing schedule ordered above. • In the event a parent is late at the beginning of a timesharing period other than a weekend that parent shall forfeit timesharing until the next day. • Unless otherwise stated herein, the parent beginning their timesharing shall provide transportation for the child(ren). • Each parent shall be solely responsible for the payment of their transportation costs incurred due to exercising the timesharing schedule set forth herein. • The parties shall share equally in the expenses of transportation and shall meet halfway for all timesharing at a place and time agreed upon by the parties in writing. -- 19 of 21 -- 14 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent B.9. • Unless otherwise stated herein or expressly modified by an addendum, the parties shall abide by all provisions set forth in the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (Sections 61.703-61.773, Florida Statutes), which may be amended from time to time. • Each parent identified in this Shared Parenting Plan shall be subject to (and comply with) all provisions of Section 61.13001, Florida Statutes, which may hereafter be amended from time to time. • Said telephone/video contact shall not be during school hours when school is in session and/or interfere with any extracurricular activities of the minor child(ren). • Should the cell phone/tablet or other electronic communication device of the minor child(ren) be taken away for punishment to the minor child(ren), the parent with custody of the minor child(ren) shall notify the non-custodial parent of the appropriate telephone number/app/device to use to contact the minor child(ren) for the once daily communication. • No punishment of the minor child(ren) shall hinder the ability of the non- custodial parent to speak with the minor child(ren). • The minor child(ren) shall be entitled to reasonable, age-appropriate, privacy during conversations with the other parent. • Communication between the parent and minor child(ren) shall be at an age-appropriate time, and no earlier than 8:00 AM and no later than 8:00 PM for child(ren) under the age of 13. • Neither parent shall record interactions or communication between the minor child(ren) and the other parent without previous written consent of the other parties or by Court order. • If recording is authorized/ordered/agreed upon pursuant this Shared Parenting Plan, no recording made under this provision shall be of a nature to interfere with the child exchange or used to intimidate the other parent or minor child(ren). • Any deviations from the provisions set forth above shall be made only by addendum or “handwriting” on the form of this Shared Parenting Plan. • The typewritten text above shall not be edited or modified by way of computer in any way and then be submitted to the opposing party, opposing counsel, or trial judge with a representation that such is the “form” Shared Parenting Plan Template. [signature page to follow] -- 20 of 21 -- 15 Okaloosa Walton Shared Parenting Plan (revised November 2024) ______________________ Petitioner ________________________Respondent Petitioner State of Florida County of The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of , 20 by Petitioner who is personally known to me or has produced as identification.
SHARED PARENTING PLAN FOR OKALOOSA/WALTON COUNTIES WHEREAS, the Chief Judge is required to develop an administrative plan for the efficient and proper administration of all courts within the Circuit pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.215(b)(3); and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of parents involved in family law cases to be aware of their duties and responsibilities to the children involved;
Reviewer note: Document sha256: 8efefbcff8bc6d64517014d9a030fb6e2f7d6a9ba48d71f7b3aa336c4b41a1f8 (303157 bytes). BenchPath harvested this circuit itself because no research corpus existed for it. Extraction is conservative: mandatory-language sentences only, so this rule is a faithful subset of the order, never a summary of it.
The 17th Circuit's circuit-wide AI disclosure/certification mandate (Jan 2026, twice amended) was VACATED in its entirety effective June 15, 2026 by Chief Judge Phillips's AO 2026-19-Gen, expressly citing the statewide framework (AOSC26-12; Rule 2.515(d)(2), SC2026-0673). Several division procedure pages still cite the vacated order.
Every circuit-civil case reviewed within 120 days of commencement and assigned a track (complex, streamlined, or general); case management orders required; firm continuance policy; sanctions for missed deadlines. Rescinds AO 21-09.
Circuit-civil hearing-availability standards: motion calendars ~2 weeks from request; 15-30 min special sets within 45-60 days; longer special sets scale.