Fla. Stat. 61.122
Parenting plan recommendation; presumption of psychologist’s good faith; prerequisite to parent’s filing suit; award of fees, costs, reimbursement

(1)

A psychologist who has been appointed by the court to develop a parenting plan recommendation in a dissolution of marriage, a case of domestic violence, or a paternity matter involving the relationship of a child and a parent, including time-sharing of children, is presumed to be acting in good faith if the psychologist’s recommendation has been reached under standards that a reasonable psychologist would use to develop a parenting plan recommendation.

(2)

An administrative complaint against a court-appointed psychologist which relates to a parenting plan recommendation conducted by the psychologist may not be filed anonymously. The individual who files an administrative complaint must include in the complaint his or her name, address, and telephone number.

(3)

A parent who desires to file a legal action against a court-appointed psychologist who has acted in good faith in developing a parenting plan recommendation must petition the judge who presided over the dissolution of marriage, case of domestic violence, or paternity matter involving the relationship of a child and a parent, including time-sharing of children, to appoint another psychologist. Upon the parent’s showing of good cause, the court shall appoint another psychologist. The court shall determine who is responsible for all court costs and attorney’s fees associated with making such an appointment.

(4)

If a legal action, whether it be a civil action, a criminal action, or an administrative proceeding, is filed against a court-appointed psychologist in a dissolution of marriage, case of domestic violence, or paternity matter involving the relationship of a child and a parent, including time-sharing of children, the claimant is responsible for all reasonable costs and reasonable attorney’s fees associated with the action for both parties if the psychologist is held not liable. If the psychologist is held liable in civil court, the psychologist must pay all reasonable costs and reasonable attorney’s fees for the claimant.

Source: Section 61.122 — Parenting plan recommendation; presumption of psychologist’s good faith; prerequisite to parent’s filing suit; award of fees, costs, reimbursement, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0061.­122 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

61.001
Purpose of chapter 61.08
Alimony 61.09
Alimony and child support unconnected with dissolution 61.10
Adjudication of obligation to support spouse or minor child unconnected with dissolution 61.11
Writs 61.011
Dissolution in chancery 61.12
Attachment or garnishment of amounts due for alimony or child support 61.13
Support of children 61.14
Enforcement and modification of support, maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders 61.16
Attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs 61.17
Alimony and child support 61.18
Alimony and child support 61.19
Entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, delay period 61.20
Social investigation and recommendations regarding a parenting plan 61.21
Parenting course authorized 61.021
Residence requirements 61.29
Child support guidelines 61.30
Child support guidelines 61.31
Amount of support for a dependent adult child 61.031
Dissolution of marriage to be a vinculo 61.043
Commencement of a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for alimony and child support 61.044
Certain existing defenses abolished 61.45
Court-ordered parenting plan 61.046
Definitions 61.052
Dissolution of marriage 61.061
Proceedings against nonresidents 61.071
Alimony pendente lite 61.075
Equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities 61.076
Distribution of retirement plans upon dissolution of marriage 61.077
Determination of entitlement to setoffs or credits upon sale of marital home 61.079
Premarital agreements 61.122
Parenting plan recommendation 61.125
Parenting coordination 61.181
Depositories for alimony transactions, support, maintenance, and support payments 61.183
Mediation of certain contested issues 61.191
Application 61.401
Appointment of guardian ad litem 61.0401
Application of the law of a foreign country in courts relating to matters arising out of or relating to this chapter and chapter 88 61.402
Qualifications of guardians ad litem 61.403
Guardians ad litem 61.404
Guardians ad litem 61.405
Guardians ad litem 61.455
Court-ordered parenting plan 61.1255
Support for dependent adult children 61.1301
Income deduction orders 61.1354
Sharing of information between consumer reporting agencies and the IV-D agency 61.1811
Clerk of the Court Child Support Enforcement Collection System Trust Fund 61.1812
Child Support Incentive Trust Fund 61.1814
Child Support Enforcement Application and Program Revenue Trust Fund 61.1816
Child Support Clearing Trust Fund 61.1824
State Disbursement Unit 61.1825
State Case Registry 61.1826
Procurement of services for State Disbursement Unit and the non-Title IV-D component of the State Case Registry 61.1827
Identifying information concerning applicants for and recipients of child support services 61.13001
Parental relocation with a child 61.13003
Court-ordered electronic communication between a parent and a child 61.13015
Petition for suspension or denial of professional licenses and certificates 61.13016
Suspension of driver licenses and motor vehicle registrations

Current through Fall 2025

§ 61.122. Parenting plan recommendation; presumption of psychologist’s good faith; prerequisite to parent’s filing suit; award of fees, costs, reimbursement's source at flsenate​.gov