Whenever a family court judge must make a decision impacting children, they base that decision on the children’s best interests. Changes in a child’s best interest in Southbury often merit modification of a court order.
Contact one of our lawyers if you need to modify a custody or child support order. Our experienced child custody modification attorneys can review your situation and explain your legal options.
Judges make decisions based on the circumstances that exist at the time the order is being issued. When orders impact children, it is natural that a decision that served their best interests when they were younger may no longer do so.
Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56 lists multiple factors a Southbury judge can consider when determining a child’s best interest in custody matters. Most of the factors relate to the following:
The judge has the discretion to weigh some factors more heavily than others and to consider other relevant information. Changes in a child’s physical or emotional health, educational program, or even social or extracurricular activities may qualify for a change in custody or child support.
A Southbury attorney can discuss a parent’s specific concerns for their child’s best interests and advise whether an order modification is necessary.
Court orders governing custody and child support arrangements remain in effect until they are vacated or modified. Parents must comply with the existing order until a Connecticut family court judge issues a new one.
Modifications are most straightforward when the parents agree that a change is necessary. They can negotiate the change themselves or meet with a mediator to discuss the details.
An attorney can review and incorporate the changes into a draft order. They will submit the draft order to a court, and the judge will review it. Unless the Southbury judge finds that the change would not serve the children’s best interests, the judge will issue it as a modification of the current order.
If parents disagree that the children’s best interests require a change to an existing court order, a judge must decide the issue. The parent who wants a change must petition the court for a modification of its order.
The petitioner’s arguments must focus on how the child’s best interests have changed and why the current order no longer serves them. The petitioner must prove that changing the order is best for the child.
Modifying an order to reflect the children’s current best interests is possible even if the other parent objects, as long as it is clear that the children benefit from the change.
If you believe that you need to modify a court order to accommodate a change in a child’s best interest in Southbury, contact one of our skilled lawyers.
Our dedicated family law attorneys can help you with every aspect of modifying an existing court order. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you support your child’s best interests.
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