Although your divorce settlement may contain a child custody arrangement, this arrangement is not always set in stone. Life changes occur and you may need to file for a modification to your child custody agreement. There are certain circumstances in which you can file for a child custody modification; however, before you can complete this important step, you may want to consider what is in the best interest of your child. At Huson Law Firm, we understand that child custody modification may be necessary in some situations.
A child custody order may be changed when a parent has moved away, has lost his or her job or has received a promotion. A parent may want to spend more time with the children, or alter the parenting visitation schedule. Both parents should carefully look at how the adjustments will affect the children. Will it involve the child changing schools or moving to a different home? Will the child be exposed to adequate medical care? Does the child support amount need to be changed?
Parent traveling time and the time spent with the child is also extremely important. In some cases, the child may have developed a bond with the non-custodial parent, or the custodial parent may have accepted a position where he or she is no longer able to provide sole care for the child. One parent may have been sentenced to prison and is no longer able to care for the child at all. Child custody arrangements may be changed from sole custody to joint custody or from joint custody to sole custody.
To learn more about child custody modifications, visit our page on custody and parenting time.