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In Divorce And Other Family Law Matters

When should you change a child custody order?

On Behalf of | Feb 22, 2023 | Child Custody |

After divorce, many couples have to work out a child custody order. This arrangement allows parents to continue their obligations and responsibilities to their children. Parents may agree on when they have visitation rights, where their child lives, what kind of restrictions they may have (dietary or phone) and who the kids will spend the holidays with.

More often than not, child custody orders need to change over time. In many cases, a custody agreement needs to be altered because the child has grown up and has new needs and wants. For example, children frequently need to change schools as they progress in grades, which may change where a child is picked up during visitation hours.

However, there are a few other reasons a custody order needs altering. To understand why you would need to make changes, then you should consider the following:

A parent is planning to move

One of the most common causes that may lead to a child custody order alteration is if one or both parents are planning to move. The court may consider if the move is a substantial reason to change the custody order, such as if the move creates a negative impact on the child.

A parent has a change in employment 

Some child custody orders change because a parent is facing financial issues or a job change. A parent who’s struggling to make an income may not be able to provide for their child. Likewise, a job change could conflict with the current visitation orders. Either could be a reason to shift more parenting time to their co-parent for a while.

If you believe you need to alter your child custody agreement, then you may need to be aware of your legal rights.