Life rarely stays static, especially for parents and growing children. Changing work schedules, school, or relocation plans may interfere with your current parenting plan. As situations and schedules change, it may be in your best interest to request a parenting plan modification if it serves the well-being of your child. Working with an experienced family law lawyer at Moffett Law Firm can help you determine if your schedule change may be deemed a necessary cause for a parenting plan modification by the court.
At Moffett Law Firm, we are well-versed in complex family law cases. With compassionate legal counsel and aggressive representation, we fight for your best interests and guide you through the legal process. With our 30 years of combined experience, we understand the sensitive nature of child custody and what it takes to protect what is important to you.
Life Changes That May Cause Parenting Plan Modifications
A permanent change to a parent’s work schedule or other major scheduling change is deemed a valid reason for parenting plan modifications. The court will do what is best for the child’s well-being, which may entail altering the parenting plan so that a may spend more time with a child.
However, for a parenting plan to be modified, you must show evidence of the permanent schedule change. For example, this may be a promotion, demotion, or total transition of your schedule because of a shift change. The courts may be more likely to approve a modification if the change serves the best interest of your child; For instance, supporting the arrangement of equal parenting time if right now your schedule keeps you from co-parenting more actively.
To prove your schedule change, you must provide the following evidence to demonstrate the need for modification:
- Report that demonstrates actual parenting time compared to the scheduled time
- Custody journal with descriptions of difficulties as they occurred
- Records showing the court had to enforce custody orders
- Documents proving a parent’s new work schedule or move
- Statements from witnesses
- School, work, or other official records
- Photos, emails, texts, social media posts, and other unofficial records
When schedules change and a parenting plan modification is needed, you may file an uncontested parenting plan modification together. However, that is not always the case. If your ex-spouse doesn’t want to alter the current parenting plan, you may need to file a contested modification with the help of Moffett Law Firm, where the court may ultimately decide what changes are best for your parenting plan.
How to Modify a Parenting Plan Due to a Schedule Change
To modify a parenting plan due to a schedule change, you must either have agreement from the other parent or request a modification through the court. For an uncontested modification, you may sign paperwork agreeing to the changes and may have to appear in court for a judge to review the changes. If the other parent disagrees with the schedule change, a court hearing will be held to hear both parties’ testimonies. At the end of the hearing, it will be the judge’s discretion to determine whether a parenting plan modification is necessary.
Schedule a Consultation With the Experienced Texas Family Law Lawyers at Moffett Law Firm
Modifying parenting plans is unnecessarily complicated without the guidance of an experienced family law lawyer at Moffett Law Firm. Our legal team has over 30 years of combined experience helping families navigate the most complex child custody and family matters. We help build your case with relevant evidence and offer legal counsel so you may achieve your legal goals.
Schedule a confidential consultation by calling (713) 333-5800 or filling out our contact form for legal guidance from one of our skilled family law lawyers.
