Detailed, thorough custody orders outline time-sharing arrangements and the division of parental authority. Frequently, parents can follow the terms of a custody order until their children become adults.
Occasionally, family situations change significantly, making a custody modification necessary. There are countless unique situations that may require a review of custody orders and time-sharing arrangements. The three scenarios below are among the most common reasons parents go back to court to modify an existing order.
1. Parental relocation
If either parent intends to move a significant distance from their current residence, that change in address can affect the overall breakdown of parenting time and authority. Relocation-related modification requests are relatively common, as parents have to update not just the details about where they live but also their time-sharing arrangements.
2. Changes in family schedules
Maybe one parent just started a new job. Perhaps a teenager just started their first part-time job or now wants to participate in school sports.
Significant changes to the family member’s schedules can make a custody modification necessary. Parents may need to rework how they share time to accommodate the new obligations of either the parents or the children.
3. Safety concerns
Sometimes, one parent begins to worry about the mental and physical well-being of their children while they are with the other parent. When there is evidence of abuse or neglect, one parent may need to ask the courts to review the current custody order and make significant adjustments.
Requesting a custody modification can limit opportunities for conflict and unnecessary risk for the children in a family. A formal modification is usually necessary to prevent allegations of non-compliance and enforcement proceedings.