What to Do if the Situation Changes?

There are many good reasons why a parenting plan might need to be changed. As the children get older, for example, their needs, interests, and activities change. And as each of the parents moves on with his or her separate adult life, new partners, new jobs, or new homes can all mean that the parenting plan needs to be changed.

Parents may need to renegotiate portions of their parenting agreement every two-and-a-half to three years. If the parents agree on the changes, they can change their court order by using the “stipulation” process. To learn how to do this, click here.

However, if the parents do NOT agree on the changes, one of the parents can go back to court and ask for what is called a “modification” of the child custody order. If the parents do NOT agree about the changes that need to be made, they must return to mediation before they ask to have a judge look at their new parenting plan.

To learn how to modify an existing child custody order, click here.

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