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Situations That Could Call For Changes In Visitation

When parents divorce, a parenting plan is put in place. No matter how well your plan works, there may come a time when a change is needed. Read on to find out more about altering your parenting and visitation plan.

Dealing With Court Orders

When the parents create a custody and visitation plan for their minor-aged children, an approval from the family court judge turn those plans into a court order. Like all court orders, it should be followed. Some that have to do with children, however, are never really final. Changes in the plans for child support, custody, and visitation can be ordered if there is a need. In fact, the family court system recognizes the need for parents to step in and alter arrangements from time to time.

While parents often make changes on their own without involving the courts, that is not always a good idea. That only works until something happens and one parent disagrees with something. For example, if your teenager wants to spend more time at one parent's home due to its proximity to a friends home, you can alter the visitation schedule as you wish. If the other parent objects, however, you could be subject to contempt of court charges for making your own changes to the orders.

Children Becoming Teenagers

What makes a child grow more independent may not necessarily correspond with a certain age. It's more about the needs of the child rather than whether they are 11 or 13 years old. A visitation plan that worked well for years while the child was younger may now be causing problems. The court system views the welfare of a child as a high priority and parents might want to take that view as well. For instance, while having your 17 year old available on Friday nights to babysit is convenient, that may be more in your own best interest rather than the child's best interest. On the other hand, when the judge, both parents, and the child all support a change, it might be ordered.

Changing Your Visitation

Contact your family law attorney and ask for a court hearing to be scheduled. There, you should be prepared to show why a change is needed. Judges are reluctant to disturb orders unless you can show that the change:

• Improves the welfare of the child.
• Is necessary due to the circumstances of the parent (incarceration, moving, unfit, non-compliance with visitation orders,etc).

While a child's whims should never be part of a family court alteration, the needs of children and the behavior of parents often change. Speak to your lawyer about divorce attorney services to find out more.