As we all know, life throws curveballs at us all of the time. These unexpected changes of circumstance might require greater changes to be made to our lives, even when we thought we had everything all figured out. Sometimes, long after a couple has separated, and a child custody agreement made between the parents of children, the terms of custody might need to change. This isn’t an easy feat to accomplish, but a child custody lawyer can advocate for the best interests of all children involved and help facilitate the most favorable outcome.
When Might a Child Custody Arrangement Need Modification?
Once child custody has been agreed upon initially, it is not likely to be subject to change unless the circumstances of the household have been altered dramatically. The parent that’s looking to change the terms of the agreement should hire a child custody lawyer to help illustrate the ways in which these changes could be detrimental to the well-being of any children in the other parent’s care.
Circumstances that could prompt such a change to child custody agreements include:
- The imprisonment of one parent.
- Incidences of domestic violence.
- The input of the children themselves, if they are of the age to make decisions of this nature.
- When one parent wants to move away.
- When the terms of visitation are unfavorable or have become unreasonable to the non-custodial parent.
If there has been a dramatic change in the child’s home, the non-custodial parent or other joint-custodial parent can attempt to have their custody agreement changed. This is mostly done to ensure the stability of children in the arrangement.
How Can a Child Custody Lawyer Help You?
The key to custody arrangement modifications is providing proof that the circumstances that the children are currently living in are undergoing a serious change. If you are unsure of whether the changes made in the children’s living situation are considered drastic enough to invoke a change of custody, a child custody lawyer can help you to understand your circumstances.
The extensive knowledge of family lawyers should be put to use for the betterment of children and their families at large, and this is exactly what your lawyer will do. If they do not feel that the circumstances that have prompted you to try and modify the existing agreement are substantial enough, they will tell you so.
In the event that your call to modify the custody agreement is justified, your lawyer will help you to understand what family law statutes apply to your case. They may also advise you on how to proceed if you are looking to obtain sole or joint custody because of the change of circumstances that caused you to petition the courts in the first place.
A child custody lawyer is a valuable asset to have prior to, during and even after child custody agreements have been made. With their education and experience working on behalf of the children, a parent can seek out modifications to any existing agreement in order to continue protecting the best interests of all minors involved.