Three Signs It Might Be Time To Modify Your Custody Arrangement

Parents who decide to separate can either negotiate a time-sharing arrangement or put the matter in the hands of a family law judge, who will implement a custody order with which the family must comply. In either case, once there is an official legal order on record, parents are required to strictly follow the terms of that order. It’s always important for parents to comply with the terms of their custody arrangement as closely as possible to avoid interfering with their child’s best interests and facing potential sanctions from the court. It is, however, likely that at some point, two parents may realize that their custody arrangement no longer suits their family’s needs. In these cases, the parties may need to take the matter to court to seek an official modification. Read on to learn more about three signs that it may be time to modify your own custody agreement.

A Shift in Relationships 

A significant change in relationships is one of the primary reasons for the modification of custody orders in Florida. This shift could take a number of different forms. Perhaps, for instance, one of the parents has welcomed a new child into the family and doing so has affected his or her relationship with the other children. Alternatively, one or both of the parents could have started a new relationship or remarried, which can cause tension and resentment with older children. It is also not uncommon for children’s relationship with their parents to change as they get older and a teenager may wish to spend more time with a certain parent. When the shifting of these dynamics leads to conflict, it may be time to start thinking about adjusting the time-sharing arrangement.

Major Schedule Changes 

The daily schedules and support needs of children will change a lot as they grow. A teen going into high school, for instance, will have much different support requirements than a toddler, who needs round-the-clock care. Parents can also experience changes in their schedules that make a current custody plan unworkable. Perhaps, for instance, one parent got a new job with different hours or welcomed a new child into the family. One or both of the parents may need to relocate at some point, which can also have significant consequences on a custody arrangement. These kinds of changes are natural and occur as families move on from divorce. Fortunately, it is possible to modify an existing time-sharing arrangement to account for these changes.

An Inability to Comply 

While some of the changes that could inspire a custody modification are natural and occur as relationships alter over time, others may be the result of one parent’s purposeful attempt to harm the child’s relationship with his or her other parent. This could take the form of interfering with the custody arrangement by refusing phone calls or failing to show up for custodial hand-overs. In other cases, a parent may consistently fail to show up for their children or be unable to meet their needs because of health or addiction struggles. When a parent cannot or will not abide by an existing custody plan, pursuing a modification of that arrangement may be in the child’s best interests.

Contact Our Office Today 

For help modifying your own custody arrangement, please call experienced Fort Lauderdale child visitation and time-sharing lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today.

Sources: 

flcourts.gov/content/download/685834/file_pdf/905a.pdf

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html