In Florida, parenting is separated into two distinct areas. One is timesharing – the amount of time the child(ren) spends with each parent. The other is parental decision making – which parent makes major, non-emergency decisions about the child(ren). There are three types of decision making:
1) shared parental authority;
2) shared with ultimate decision making; and
3) sole parental authority.
Unless one parent can prove to the court that it would be harmful to the child for the parents to have to make decisions for the child together, the court will order shared parental authority. What exactly does this mean? This means that the parents are court ordered to discuss and decide major, non-emergency issues (education, medical/dental, religious, and extra-curricular) for their child(ren). Each parent has an equal say and neither parent’s opinion is more powerful than the other. If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, the court will not decide who is right or wrong. If the parents cannot decide, nothing happens as long as there is no risk to the health or safety of the child(ren).
If you know that you and the other parent are unable to agree on even simple matters regarding the child(ren), you should request shared authority with ultimate decision making or sole parental authority. Shared with ultimate decision making requires parents to discuss all issues and to attempt to reach an agreement. If they cannot, then one parent will be the “tie breaker” so that action can be taken. Sole authority allows one parent to make major decisions without consulting the other parent. This is not often granted except in more extreme circumstances.