Child custody agreements are not set in stone. The family court understands your life can change while your child is still a minor, which is why there are ways you can make modifications to your child custody order. Is your child custody agreement no longer working for you? It may be time to request a modification.
Below is a list of the four most common reasons to parents ask for child custody modifications:
1.When Domestic Abuse has Occurred
If your child is in immediate danger in the household they are currently living in, the courts will assess the situation and determine if the situation should be changed. The court's factor in evidence of domestic violence reports filed with police, if the danger is immediate, and if the child expresses a desire to be removed from the home.
2.If One Parent Relocates
If one parent is considering relocation to a city far away from the custodial parent, the courts will reexamine the current custody order and evaluate if keeping the same schedule is practical. If both parents have come to a custody agreement in response to the relocation, then the court will consider this agreement. Ultimately, the court compares a parent’s decision to relocate with whether the child’s life will be interrupted by this new child custody modification. The courts are apt to make judgments based on what is in the best interests of the child.
3.After the Death of One Parent
If a custodial parent dies, the court will look at the non-custodial parent’s current situation and evaluate whether or not it is suitable to raise a minor child. If the court determines it is not, then they will consider a third party such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle.
4.When One Parent Ignores the Visitation Schedule
Finally, if one parent ignores the current visitation schedule, the non-custodial parent is completely valid in bringing a child custody modification case. If you are a non-custodial parent in need of modifying custody orders, we recommend consulting an Annapolis child custody attorney.
For more information on child custody modifications,contact Law Office of Nicholas T. Exarhakis.