At Griffin Family Law, we represent families across Jacksonville and Florida in all aspects of parental responsibility and timesharing. We draw on experience, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the best interests of your child. Our team is familiar with how school events, sporting activities, and custody orders overlap under Florida law.
We open with clarity. Many parents in Jacksonville are unaware that Florida statutes mandate the sharing of educational information, even when one parent is not exercising physical timesharing.
As your family law attorney in Jacksonville, we explain what Florida law requires, how courts interpret custody orders, and what steps you can take to stay compliant and cooperative for your child’s benefit.
Our goal is to help you understand your obligations regarding school events and sports under custody orders.
Legal Foundation: Parental Rights and Custody in Florida
Florida law upholds a parent’s fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of his or her minor child. Section 1014.02 of the Florida Statutes, known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, explicitly finds that important information relating to a minor child’s education and well-being should not be withheld from a parent, even when the child is in the custody of the school district.
Florida courts favor shared parental responsibility and assume equal timesharing unless proven otherwise. As of July 1, 2023, Florida law introduced a rebuttable presumption of 50/50 timesharing.
Florida Statute Section 61.13 lists twenty factors that the court must evaluate when determining parental responsibility and timesharing plans, including the demonstrated capacity of each parent to participate in the child’s school and extracurricular activities.
Parenting plans—required in all timesharing cases—must specify, among other things, how school-related matters and extracurricular activities will be addressed. The court assesses a parenting plan based on the best interests of the child.
What Constitutes “School Events” and “Sports” in Timesharing Context
School events include parent-teacher conferences, school plays, award ceremonies, field trips, sports competitions, and other official school functions. Sports activities include team practices, games, tournaments, and sports-related extracurriculars.
Florida law does not define a mandatory list of events to share with the other parent, but courts expect both parents to remain engaged in educational and extracurricular developments. The statutory framework presumes that activities associated with school and sports are significant to the child’s welfare and must be jointly considered under a shared parental responsibility model.
What You Are Legally Required to Share: Education and Activities
Parental Rights Under the Parents’ Bill of Rights
Under Section 1014.02 of the Florida Statutes, parents have the right to access and review all school records and to be notified of information relating to the child’s education and well-being, including school events and emergencies. This right extends even when one parent does not have physical timesharing during the event.
Timesharing and Parenting Plans Must Address Extracurricular Activities
Parenting plans must address school-related matters and extracurricular activities. This means the plan should specify who is notified, who attends, who handles transportation, and how scheduling is managed, ideally with flexibility built in.
The Court’s Focus on Participation
Courts assess whether each parent facilitates a close relationship and involvement in the child’s life, including school and extracurricular activities. Courts expect timely updates, sharing of schedules, and cooperation in logistics.
Notifications and Changes
If one parent changes the existing schedule—say, by planning to attend a game not previously in the plan—Florida law requires written notice at least 21 days before the change when it impacts timesharing significantly, such as summer travel or extended absence. Although this statute specifically refers to vacations, its principle applies to other substantive schedule changes, including school-related absences or events.
In practice, courts expect written notice—email or letter—detailing date, time, location, and logistics. This ensures transparency and prevents misunderstandings.
Practical Guide: Handling School Events and Sports Under Custody Orders
Review Your Parenting Plan
We advise reviewing your parenting plan promptly each school year. Ensure it includes provisions on school communications, event attendance, transportation, and sharing schedule conflicts. As a Jacksonville child custody lawyer, we often update parenting plans through mediation or court modification to incorporate back-to-school realities.
Maintain Open Communication with Schools
Make sure you are listed as a contact in the school’s records. Provide the school with a copy of the parenting plan or court order to avoid miscommunication—for example, who should be notified for attendance, grades, emergencies, and parent notes.
Use Shared Calendars and Co-Parenting Tools
Using shared digital calendars or co-parenting apps helps parents stay in sync on school events, sports schedules, and extracurricular commitments. This practice is highly encouraged by family law attorneys in Florida and supports shared parental responsibility.
Provide Written Notice of Changes
When planning to attend or change involvement in events not previously in your timesharing, deliver written notice, with sufficient lead time, ideally at least 21 days if the change impacts physical timesharing. Even in less formal cases, good communication fosters cooperation.
Address Conflicts Early and Professionally
If the other parent disputes your attendance or access to information, suggest mediation before returning to court. Florida encourages mediation in custody disputes—it is often required before court interventions.
Why This Matters: Benefits for You, the Other Parent, and the Child
Promotes Consistency and Stability
When both parents share school and sports information, the child experiences continuity across homes. Knowing schedules, game routines, and school requirements across both households reduces disruption and supports emotional stability.
Reduces Conflict and Potential Litigation
Clear communication and cooperative planning decrease the likelihood of disputes. Having a detailed parenting plan or written communication helps demonstrate good faith if modification or enforcement becomes necessary.
Supports Your Role as a Parent
Being informed and involved in school and extracurricular activities empowers both parents. This involvement strengthens your legal posture in times of modification requests or disputes.
Complies with Florida Law
Florida law prioritizes the best interests of the child and encourages shared parental decision-making, including educational aspects and extracurricular activities. Compliance aligns with legal expectations and demonstrates a commitment to cooperation.
How Griffin Family Law Supports You
As your Jacksonville child custody lawyer, we guide you through developing compliant, practical parenting plans. We help you:
- Review or revise parenting plans to explicitly address school events, sports, transportation, and communications
- Communicate with schools, ensure both parents are listed and updated, and avoid surprises
- Draft and deliver written notifications for schedule changes
- Guide you through mediation when co-parent cooperation falters
- Represent you in court when modifications or enforcement become necessary
We serve as family law attorneys in Jacksonville for clients who need stability, clarity, and advocacy. We help both parents protect their relationship with their child by ensuring shared responsibility and legal compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What must I share with the other parent about school events or sports?
You must share substantive educational information, including events that affect your timesharing or involve decisions such as transportation, attendance, or health-related considerations. Section 1014.02 supports this obligation.
Do I have to attend every game if it is not in the parenting plan?
Not necessarily. If the event was not in the plan, you should notify the other parent in writing if your attendance impacts their timesharing or responsibility. Good faith coordination is expected.
What if the school refuses to list the other parent or share updates?
We recommend notifying the school in writing, referencing your court-ordered parenting plan. If the school continues to withhold information, we can assist in resolving it formally.
What kinds of modifications to parenting plans are acceptable?
Schools or sports schedules may change. Modifications based on the child’s best interests are acceptable. Florida courts require proof of a substantial change in circumstances and consider whether the modification serves the child.
What if the other parent consistently fails to share information?
We can file for enforcement or modification. Courts consider patterns of non-communication when evaluating parental cooperation and the best interests of the child.
We Help Protect Your Rights
School events and sports activities are more than extracurricular trimmings—they are integral parts of your child’s development. As your family law attorney in Jacksonville, we help you meet Florida’s legal requirements, from the Parents’ Bill of Rights to parenting plans and timesharing schedules.
We encourage proactive communication, detailed parenting plans, and timely notifications.
We are Griffin Family Law. We are committed to helping families navigate the complexities of custody, school involvement, and co-parenting cooperatively and compliantly—in Jacksonville and across Florida.
