When you co-parent with your former spouse, over time, you may achieve a rhythm with your parenting plan that works well for your child’s needs. Life can present unexpected challenges, though, and you might find yourself in a situation where your current custody arrangement is no longer feasible for any number of reasons.
When you find yourself in such a position, it is important that you speak with a Manhattan child custody modification lawyer as soon as possible to review the full breadth of your legal options. Our seasoned parenting time attorneys can determine whether you have sufficient grounds to seek a modification of your existing child custody agreement and help you file for a change with the court.
Child custody arrangements can take a variety of forms in Manhattan. While it is common for one parent to maintain primary residential custody of the child while both parents share legal custody (i.e., decisions about where the child goes to school, their medical care, etc.), the parents and the court may come to a different arrangement in some circumstances.
For example, some parents may share physical custody of their child on an equal basis as well as the decision-making privileges afforded by joint legal custody. In other situations, the court may determine that one parent retain both residential and legal custody. As such, there are a wide range of situations in which a parent may require a well-practiced attorney’s help to seek modification of an existing child custody agreement in Manhattan.
If the current agreement awards primary residential custody to one parent, but the other parent’s circumstances have changed in such a way that would enable them to pursue a more equal allocation of parenting time, this could precipitate a request to modify the current plan.
Another common situation where a dedicated Manhattan lawyer can provide much-needed assistance is when one parent is relocating and must request a modification of the current child custody arrangement. Generally speaking, there needs to be a notable change in either the situation of one of the parents or the child involved for the judge to sign off on the modification of an existing child custody order.
Yet another example of a situation where a modification may be warranted is if the current parenting plan puts the health and safety of the child at risk due to abusive or dangerous behavior exhibited by one parent. According to Kansas Statutes Annotated § 23-3221, approval of a request to modify a parenting time order will ultimately come down to what outcome is in the best interests of the child involved.
When your circumstances change after an initial custody plan is approved, it is essential that you speak with a knowledgeable legal professional to determine whether your situation could support a case for modification.
A Manhattan child custody modification lawyer can provide insights tailored to the specifics of your case and help you furnish the necessary paperwork with supporting evidence to the court. Do not hesitate to get in touch with an experienced attorney today to find out more about your legal rights and options.
