After the breakdown of a marriage, child custody can be one of the most difficult issues that ex-partners face. Deciding where a child will live, where they will spend holidays, how they will be educated, what medical care they will receive, and what religion they will be raised in are all issues that can be very important to both parents.
For clarity about these issues, courts in Connecticut issue parenting plans. The parenting plan is a document that lays out the legal and physical custody arrangement that both partners are expected to abide by. However, sometimes one or both partners find that the original parenting plan is no longer serving their family well. In those cases, they can seek a child custody modification. At Dolan Divorce Lawyers, our New Haven child custody modification lawyer helps parents understand the modification process and advises them about the pros and cons of pursuing such a motion.
Contact our dedicated child custody lawyers today for a free consultation.
Under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.). Section 46b-56a, courts prioritize the best interests of the child when it comes to custody and visitation arrangements in New Haven. The goal is to encourage parents to come to a mutual agreement that covers all important aspects of the child’s life, including decision-making authority, where the child lives, visitation, and methods of communication.
If parents are not able to agree on a plan, the court will establish one for them. Or, even if the parents did agree, the court also has the authority to modify the plan as necessary to protect the best interests of the child.
There are several reasons why one or both parents may request a custody modification. Some reasons involve practical issues related to scheduling or location. For example, a parent may experience a schedule change or begin a new job that makes it impossible to pick up or drop off the child at the agreed-upon times. Relocation also affects custody agreements, particularly if one parent moves to a new city or out of state. In these situations, the goal is to modify the plan so that both parents remain active participants in the child’s life.
Other reasons to modify the agreement may involve the child’s preferences. A younger child may want to live with one parent, but later choose differently as they mature, especially if the family structure changes through remarriage or the birth of half-siblings.
In some situations, a parent may request a custody modification due to doubts about the other parent’s fitness to care for the child. Concerns involving mental health, substance abuse, neglect, or other forms of abuse require urgent attention to protect the child’s well-being. A New Haven child custody modification attorney could assist in gathering evidence and presenting the case to the court.
To request a modification, parents must file a petition with the family court. The petition should include the requested changes and supporting evidence explaining why the changes are necessary. Evidence may involve details about schedule or job changes, communication records, or notes and reports from relatives, teachers, or therapists involved in the child’s life.
The impact of a child custody order on your life is wide-reaching. If the arrangement does not work for you, it can quickly become a source of lead to unnecessary stress. Over time, this can affect your co-parenting relationship, or, even worse, your relationship with your child.
If your life circumstances have changed since your original divorce decree, or if you have other concerns related to child custody, it may be worth pursuing a child custody modification order. Contact a New Haven child custody modification lawyer at our firm for compassionate, professional guidance about how to achieve your custody goals.
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