When Can Child Custody Agreements Be Modified?

The courts in Raleigh, NC are aware that sometimes a family’s circumstances can change, and with the right child custody lawyer, you can present your changed circumstances well and show the court why a modification to your custody agreement is appropriate.

When Can Child Custody Agreements Be Modified?

1. There’s Been a Big Change in Your Child’s Needs

A change in your child’s circumstances could be something huge, such as your child being diagnosed with a serious health condition that requires medical intervention. But it could also be a normal developmental change as your child’s needs naturally evolve. They may need a different educational style to thrive, for example, or perhaps you live in an area where there are excellent public school options for elementary and middle school but not for high school, and it’s in the child’s best interest to be sent to a private high school.

2. You or the Other Parent Are Moving

If you or the other parent want to make a minor move across town, a change in custody might not be warranted. But if one of you is relocating to a different town or even a different state, this could dramatically change the custody situation. It will be important to come up with a modification that will meet the new needs for you and the other parent, but also that’s in the child’s best interest, whether that means the child moving with a parent or figuring out a new visitation schedule.

3. One Parent Isn’t Following the Current Custody Orders

If you are struggling to follow the current orders because they just do not match your work schedule, or if the other parent is in a similar situation or even completely refusing to follow them at all, it’s appropriate to ask for a modification. If it’s an issue of timing and schedules, your lawyer can help you present the situation to the court and show what would work better. If the other parent refuses to honor the current schedule, you may be able to request a modification that gives you more custody.

4. The Child’s Living Conditions Have Changed

If the situation at the other parent’s home has changed dramatically, you may need to ask for a modification. Custody schedules are usually set during a divorce, and sometimes during the divorce process a parent may be doing fairly well, only to spiral a few months later after all the immediate emotions and difficulties have been dealt with. This can, for example, lead to substance abuse that makes the home less stable or unsafe for your child.

Talk to a Raleigh, NC Child Custody Lawyer Right Away

These are just a few situations where it’s appropriate to ask for a modification and where the courts are generally willing to consider changing a custody order. The best way to successfully get an order changed is to work with an experienced lawyer. Call us today at Gantt Family Law in Raleigh, Apex, Sanford, or Durham for help with your case.

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