In a divorce involving children, parents may share child custody. When parents share custody of their children, they often have to create a custody schedule. This schedule helps parents arrange and manage the time they have physical custody rights for their children. On the days that parents have custody of their children, they are typically responsible for caring for their child’s basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, etc.) and keeping up with their daily routine (school, doctor appointments, etc.).
A child custody schedule can be arranged in several ways. Parents may rotate custody daily or on a weekly basis, for example. However, parents may need to consider altering their custody arrangements over time. Here is what you should know:
Proving to a judge that an altered schedule is necessary
Parents can agree to a custody schedule alteration and make arrangements with a court. However, a judge may require evidence of reasonable changes in circumstances before any changes are made to a custody schedule. Here are some common reasons to modify a custody schedule:
- A parent is planning on moving, which creates some distance between their child and co-parent. An altered schedule could give parents more time with their children to reduce travel time and costs.
- A parent’s work schedule has changed, conflicting with a child custody schedule. The new schedule may work around the parent’s new work schedule so their needs are still met.
- A child’s needs have changed. They may have developed a medical condition, for example, that requires constant care from a parent.
- A parent has a health issue that impacts their ability to care for their child. A new schedule may allow a co-parent to see their child without impacting their child’s well-being.
Parents may need to reach out for legal guidance to explore their options when altering a custody schedule.
