
Grigsby v Grigsby, No. 2D09-5255, is a Florida case law that concluded that there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to minor children, and that the mother's parental alienation tactics justified awarding sole parental responsibility to the father. This case law has been cited in subsequent cases such as Witt-Bahls v. Bahls, No. 4D14-152, and Davis v. Lopez-Davis, 162 So. 3d 19, 21 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014). The Grigsby v Grigsby case law established that when modifying a parenting plan, the court must specify the steps for a parent to regain meaningful time-sharing with their child. This case law is still referenced in Florida law and has been applied in similar cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Case Number | 2D09-5255 |
| Court | Florida Second District Court of Appeal |
| Date | July 7, 2010 |
| Citation | 39 So. 3d 453 |
| Summary | Concluded there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to minor children |
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What You'll Learn

Parenting plan modification
Grigsby v Grigsby (No. 2D09-5255) is a Florida case law that concluded there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to minor children. This case set a precedent for parenting plan modifications, outlining the steps a parent must take to reestablish time-sharing and specifying that a court order must outline the steps for a parent to regain meaningful time-sharing with their child.
When it comes to modifying a parenting plan, the court typically does not modify a prior custody decree or a parenting plan unless it finds that a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the nonmoving party. This change must be in the best interest of the child and necessary to serve their best interests.
The court may order adjustments to the residential aspects of a parenting plan upon showing a substantial change in circumstances of either parent or the child. These adjustments can be made without considering specific factors if the proposed modification is minor and does not change the child's primary residence or exceed twenty-four full days in a calendar year.
Additionally, adjustments can be made based on a change of residence for the parent with whom the child does not reside most of the time or an involuntary change in work schedule, making the current residential schedule impractical.
In the case of relocation, the court may order adjustments to the residential aspects of a parenting plan. A person objecting to the relocation or proposing it can file a petition to modify the plan, including changing the child's primary residence, without showing adequate cause other than the proposed relocation itself.
It is important to note that the effect of a parent's military duties impacting their parenting functions is not considered a substantial change of circumstances justifying a permanent modification.
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Parental responsibility
Grigsby v Grigsby (2010) is a case law from Florida that deals with parental responsibility and time-sharing issues. The case revolves around the dispute between Lisa Grigsby (the mother) and Lonnie Grigsby (the father) regarding their four minor children.
During the dissolution proceedings, the mother refused to encourage the children to participate in scheduled time-sharing and prevented the father from seeing the children on multiple occasions. She also threatened to obtain a new injunction against the father when he attended the children's school and sports activities. After the petition for dissolution was filed, the mother refused to comply with the court's temporary order regarding time-sharing and falsely reported the father for sexual abuse.
The mother's actions were determined to be detrimental to the children, and the trial court found that she had "actively interfered with the love and emotional ties" between the father and the children. The court characterized her behaviour as the worst case of parental alienation it had ever seen. As a result, the trial court awarded sole parental responsibility for the children to the father and suspended the mother's time-sharing with them.
The mother appealed the trial court's decision, arguing that the court abused its discretion. However, the appellate court upheld the trial court's decision, concluding that there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the children. The mother's parental alienation tactics justified the award of sole parental responsibility to the father.
Grigsby v Grigsby sets a precedent for cases where one parent interferes with the other parent's relationship with their children. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the best interests of the children and taking necessary steps to ensure their well-being. This case law continues to be cited in subsequent cases dealing with similar issues of parental responsibility and time-sharing.
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Time-sharing
Grigsby v Grigsby (2D09-5255) is a case law in Florida that discusses the steps a parent must take to reestablish time-sharing with their child. In this case, the court concluded that there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the minor children. As a result, the court awarded sole parental responsibility to one parent, restricting the other parent's access. This case sets a precedent for situations where one parent is deemed unfit or unable to care for their child, and the other parent is granted full custody.
The case of Grigsby v. Grigsby highlights the importance of specifying the steps necessary for a parent to regain meaningful time-sharing with their child. This ensures that the child's best interests are prioritized and that the parent has a clear understanding of what is required of them to resume their parental role. The case also emphasizes the role of the court in modifying parenting plans and making decisions that protect the child's well-being.
In Grigsby v. Grigsby, the court considered the evidence presented and determined that shared parental responsibility was not in the best interests of the children involved. This decision was made based on the specific circumstances of the case, including any parental alienation tactics or detrimental behaviour exhibited by one of the parents. As a result, the court modified the parenting plan to restrict one parent's access and awarded sole parental responsibility to the other parent.
The case of Grigsby v. Grigsby provides valuable insights into how courts handle complex custody and time-sharing arrangements. It emphasizes the importance of putting the child's best interests first and ensuring that any modifications to parenting plans are justified and supported by evidence. This case serves as a precedent for similar situations, guiding courts in their decision-making processes and ensuring that the well-being of the children involved is always the top priority.
Overall, Grigsby v Grigsby (2D09-5255) continues to be relevant case law in Florida and has been cited in subsequent cases, such as Davis v. Lopez-Davis and Lightsey v. Davis, which also deal with issues of time-sharing and parental responsibility. This case sets a standard for evaluating the steps necessary for a parent to reestablish their role and reinforces the importance of acting in the best interests of the child.
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Judgment deficiencies
Grigsby v. Grigsby, No. 2D09-5255, is a Florida case law that addresses the modification of a parenting plan and the steps necessary for a parent to reestablish time-sharing with their child. The case has been cited by subsequent courts in Florida and considered good case law.
However, the judgment in Grigsby v. Grigsby has been criticised for certain deficiencies. One of the key issues is the lack of specificity in the order regarding the steps a parent must take to regain meaningful time-sharing with their child. The order's deficiency lies in its failure to outline the specific actions required of the parent, potentially hindering their ability to effectively reestablish time-sharing.
This deficiency was addressed in subsequent cases such as Lopez-Davis, where the court quoted Grigsby in holding that a judgment must specify the steps for a parent to regain time-sharing. The court emphasised that depriving a parent of this key information is deficient and can impact their ability to maintain a relationship with their child.
Additionally, in Witt-Bahls v. Bahls, the court also cited Grigsby in highlighting the importance of detailed orders in parenting plan modifications. The court reversed and remanded the case due to the order's lack of specificity regarding the mother's actions, underscoring the necessity for explicit instructions to ensure the best interests of the child and the family.
The judgment deficiencies in Grigsby v. Grigsby have been addressed and supplemented by subsequent case law in Florida. These follow-up cases have provided clearer guidelines and emphasised the need for detailed and informative orders in similar scenarios, ensuring that parents have a clear understanding of the steps necessary to reestablish their role in their children's lives.
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Evidence standards
In Grigsby v Grigsby, No. 2D09-5255, the court concluded that there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the minor children involved. The court also found that awarding sole parental responsibility to the father was not an abuse of discretion due to the mother's parental-alienation tactics.
This case exemplifies the importance of evidentiary standards in legal proceedings. Evidentiary standards and burdens of proof are crucial rules that govern the presentation and evaluation of evidence in court. They determine which party is responsible for providing evidence and the level of evidence required to prove or refute a claim.
In most cases, the plaintiff or the party bringing the claim has the initial burden of production, which means they must present evidence to support their arguments. This evidence can be in the form of witness testimonies, documents, or physical objects. Once the plaintiff has presented their case-in-chief, the burden of production shifts to the defendant, who can then provide evidence to rebut the plaintiff's claims or support their own arguments.
After meeting the burden of production, the plaintiff must also meet the burden of persuasion. This involves presenting evidence that meets the required standard of proof, which varies depending on the type of case. In most civil cases, the standard of proof is "a preponderance of evidence," which means the plaintiff must show that a particular fact or event was more likely than not to have occurred. This standard is often interpreted as the plaintiff's evidence being at least 51% likely or probable.
In criminal cases, the standard of proof is typically higher and is often referred to as "beyond a reasonable doubt." This standard requires the prosecution to demonstrate that the only logical explanation from the facts is that the defendant committed the alleged crime, and no other logical conclusion can be drawn. Probable cause is another standard used in criminal law, where officers need sufficient information to convince a reasonable person that a crime has been committed, and the suspect is likely the perpetrator.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Grigsby v Grigsby is still considered good case law.
Grigsby v Grigsby 2D09-5255 is a case law that concluded that there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to minor children.
The court awarded sole parental responsibility to the father as there was sufficient evidence that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the minor children.
According to Grigsby v Grigsby 2D09-5255, it must be specified by the court and the parent must take the necessary steps to reestablish time-sharing.











































