If parents are given joint custody of their children after a divorce, then they likely have a custody arrangement. This arrangement gives each parent specific dates and times when they have custody of their children and are responsible for attending to their daily needs.
A child custody arrangement may not work forever. There may be changes in a parent’s or child’s life that require parents to reconsider how a custody arrangement works. Here is what you should know:
3 common reasons to alter a custody schedule
Parents may need to present a case to a court before changes are made to a custody arrangement. Here are a few common reasons parents need to update a schedule:
- A parent is planning on moving: A parent may be relocating somewhere that is very far from the other parent. This could present some difficulties if parents frequently exchange custody of their child. An arrangement may need to change so that parents have more days with their children and less time traveling.
- A parent has developed a health condition: A parent may struggle to keep up with a custody arrangement because they developed a medical condition. This condition may limit their ability to care for their child or place them in a hospital or health care facility. The other parent may need to have the arrangement altered so they can care for their child.
- A parent’s work schedule has changed: In some cases, a parent’s work schedule will conflict with a custody schedule. The arrangement may need to be altered to align with the parent’s work schedule.
Parents can reach out for legal help to address the need for an altered custody schedule.