As a parent, you probably consider the well-being of your children to be imperative. If you and the other parent decided to move in separate directions, chances are you might have sought to reach a child custody agreement with their best interests in mind.
Perhaps you and the other parent came to an acceptable agreement through negotiation. While this arrangement may have worked well in the beginning, a change in circumstances could bring about a need to pursue changes to the current parenting plan.
Seeking to modify a custody order
Children can grow accustomed to a parenting schedule, and you shouldn’t necessarily seek changes to an agreement on a whim. However, certain circumstances can prompt a need for change, and some scenarios where a modification to your custody order might be necessary could include the following:
- Relocation: Should a need for relocation arise, such as a change in employment, a parent may wish to revisit the original parenting plan, provided the move is necessary and would disrupt the current agreement.
- Best interests: Courts generally consider the interests of the kids to be a top priority, and any disruption to their lives could be detrimental. However, in some cases, a change to the custody order could be beneficial to kids.
- Non-compliance: If the other parent continually disobeys the current arrangement, you might wish to pursue changes, which the court may consider, provided the other parent doesn’t have a viable reason for ignoring the current schedule.
- Death in the family: The death of a parent or guardian can create a need to revisit the current agreement, and courts will consider a variety of factors when determining a new custody order.
Although perhaps difficult to consider, in some cases, if your child is in any kind of danger, seeking a modification for their protection could be necessary. However, such matters can be complex, and obtaining guidance from someone who is knowledgeable in Georgia state child custody laws could be your best bet.
Assistance with a modification
Although you may be hesitant to disrupt your child’s life, in some cases, change is unavoidable, and should the need arise, revisions to the current parenting schedule may be beneficial for everyone involved. However, the process can be stressful and daunting, and it could be in your best interests to seek advice from someone with experience in the area before pursuing modifications. By obtaining guidance, you could place yourself in a much better position to pursue the necessary changes while safeguarding the well-being of your children in the process.
