When a divorce is finalized by a judge, the legal separation of the couple becomes final, but if there are any children involved, the situation is a lot more fluid, and decisions are never really final. This is because as the child grows up, his or her needs, desires, and circumstances are always in flux, so child custody arrangements and visitation decisions naturally need to be adjusted periodically as well.
How often to modify
Many parents choose to modify their child’s custody arrangements every 2-3 years because of various circumstances, including living situations, remarriages, the child’s wishes, and financial considerations.
What’s involved in the process
If both parents agree on the changes made to either the child custody arrangements or visitation rights, the process is relatively simple. The parents, with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell’s assistance, officially petition the court where their custody and visitation agreements were first made to request a hearing to modify those arrangements. The essential pieces of this petition agreement is an explanation of how the child’s circumstances have changed since the original decisions were made, and a persuasive explanation of why this change is in the child’s best interests. Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell will craft the language of this agreement to be as persuasive and detailed as possible to ensure the judge decides in your favor.
If the parents don’t agree, one parent can petition the court for a modification, but almost always, a change can’t be made unless both parents agree, so the court will send them to a mediator. Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell has successfully mediated between parents about custody and visitation agreements so changes can be made, and you can count on him to be fair, honest, and respectful throughout the mediation process so you can reach an effective agreement.
If you absolutely cannot reach an agreement, you may choose to go before a judge so he or she can decide, but that’s not recommended. Only the parents truly know what’s best for their child, and even if you have disagreements, it’s better to make decisions for your child’s well-being together. While a judge may have the best intentions and desire to hand down an equitable ruling that will help the child grow up to be happy, safe, and well-adjusted, a judge is, ultimately, a stranger. Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell can help couples navigate through the challenging waters of child custody and visitation and agreements, doing everything in his power to reach an agreement.
After agreements are reached, the judge will sign a court order detailing the new child custody and visitation agreement, which will then be implemented immediately.
So many clients of Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell have successfully modified child custody arrangements because of Attorney Howell’s expertise, attention to detail, and compassion towards blended families and divorced former couples.
If you’re thinking about modifying your child or children’s custody arrangements there are some important considerations to be aware of. This is an overview of important information, but for specific counsel according to your particular situation, schedule a free initial consultation with Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell by calling (909) 920-0908, emailing info@torrencelhowelllaw.com, or send his office staff a message by clicking “Contact Us” in the menu above.
