After the Texas family courts approve a final custody order, parents typically need to follow that order carefully. They have to maintain regular custody exchanges and cooperate when making important decisions about their children.
However, they may also sometimes need to consider changing their current custody arrangements. There are many different scenarios that might warrant an attempt to modify an existing custody order. A modification involves a formal process in family court, not just a verbal agreement with a co-parent. The following are some of the warning signs that a custody modification may be necessary in a given scenario.
Regular adjustments of arrangements
One of the early warning signs of an outdated custody order is the need to constantly modify the existing arrangements. When parents find themselves routinely emailing or calling each other to reschedule a missed session or make adjustments to the plan custody exchange, that may be a sign that the current arrangements no longer truly fit the family’s needs.
Changes in family schedules
When the children shift from preschool daycare to elementary school, the household schedule may change abruptly. The same is true if a parent secures a new job opportunity. A host of different situations might drastically alter the availability of the parents and the schedules of the children. Significant changes in family schedules may make a modification necessary.
Concerns about child safety
Unfortunately, not all parents are willing or able to fulfill their obligations as co-parents. They might neglect the children by failing to feed them or administer necessary medication during their parenting time. They might actively abuse the children emotionally or physically. They could leave the children with dangerous people. In scenarios where there are concerns for the safety of the children when they are with one parent, the other may need to document those issues and take the matter back to family court.
Parents have the option of cooperating for an uncontested modification where they work with one another. They can also litigate and pursue a contested modification when they don’t agree on the changes they need to make to their custody arrangements. Fine-tuning a Texas custody order can minimize family conflict and help to better ensure stability for the children. A modification is sometimes necessary to eliminate unnecessary parental conflict and/or ensure the protection of the children.