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Making changes to a child custody arrangement 

On Behalf of | Feb 4, 2025 | Family Law |

When parents divorce, a child custody arrangement has to be made. This arrangement can help manage each parent’s expectations and responsibilities when it comes to joint custody since co-parents often share some amount of both physical and legal custody.

Physical custody is the amount of time each parent has with their child. Legal custody is each parent’s right to control how their child is raised, including making important decisions for their child’s education, health and religious background. Over the years, however, many child custody arrangements need to be changed to continue to suit the family’s needs and meet the best interests of the child.

Parents may need to consider why a custody arrangement needs to be changed. A judge may not grant an altered custody arrangement without evidence that there are significant changes in a parent’s or child’s life. Here are some questions you may ask to determine if it is time for your custody plan to change:

Has your child developed a medical condition or special need?

One of the reasons why parents change their custody arrangement is because of a change in a child’s well-being. Their child may have developed a medical condition, such as cerebral palsy or paralysis, that makes it difficult for them to care for themself. Or, a child may have been diagnosed with a learning disability or other neurological disorder. As a result, one parent may take on more custody time to help ensure their child’s needs are met. 

Are you or your co-parent planning to move?

A difficulty many divorced parents face is the distance between them and their co-parent. Many parents have to move after a divorce, which may create some distance between their co-parent. As a result, parents may need to travel long distances to take custody of their child. If a parent is planning on moving, a custody schedule may need to be updated to minimize the amount of traveling. For some parents, this may mean taking on more custody time in a month.

Is your co-parent refusing to follow the custody arrangement?

Some parents are not as willing to follow custody arrangements as others. A parent may not take on physical custody at the scheduled time. They may also neglect their child’s education or medical needs. When this happens, the other parent may need to request an altered custody arrangement and discuss how these issues can be fixed.

Parents who need to change their custody arrangement may need to reach out for legal guidance to learn about their options.