Florida appellate court reverses parenting plan modification

The Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal has issued a ruling in Edwards v. Williams regarding the modification of parenting plans. In the case, a trial court had modified a long-distance parenting plan between Jennifer Edwards and Jeremy Williams, granting the father ultimate decision-making authority over the child’s education and medical care.

However, the appellate court reversed the judgment because the trial judge failed to provide the specific written findings required by statute. The ruling emphasizes that judges cannot modify parenting plans based solely on discretion; they must meet specific legal requirements and document those findings in writing to ensure the modification is legally sound.