The child custody order that you receive when you get divorced is based on numerous factors. The court is going to try to set up a child custody situation that puts the child’s best interests first, and it is also going to consider the logistics of the parents’ lives, such as their living situations, work schedules and other important information.
But once that order is issued, does that mean you have to follow it all the way until your child turns 18? Maybe you are getting divorced with a toddler, so you have a decade and a half before your child will be a legal adult. Does the order stay the same that entire time?
Positive and negative reasons for modification
It is important to follow a child custody order once it has been issued by the court. Do not break it, even if it seems to make logical sense in the moment. Instead, you need to seek a modification of that agreement from the court.
There are some positive reasons for modification. Maybe you received a new job offer, but it means you have to move to a different city. Perhaps you used to work third shift, but you got a new job where you will work a standard 9 to 5, so you need a new child custody schedule or exchange schedule.
But there can also be negative reasons for modification. For instance, perhaps your ex struggles with alcohol or drug abuse, so you do not think it is safe for the child to live with them, and you want to modify the custody arrangement so that you have primary custody.
Taking the proper steps
No matter why you want to modify the order, the key is to get that modification before you change your behavior or how you interact with your child or your ex. It is crucial to understand exactly what steps to take at this time.