Any parent should consider parenting time modifications when the current parenting plan is not working well. Here are some examples of when parenting time modifications should be considered:
- Your work schedule changes so that you cannot have the kids according to the court-ordered parenting time schedule
- The parenting time schedule was made for kids who were pre-school age, and they are now in school
- Your child has developed special needs that would be helped by more time in one parent’s care than is provided by the parenting time schedule
- One of the parents is moving away, and the parenting time schedule does not contain long-distance provisions
- Over the years you’ve had the children in your care for far more time than the court-ordered parenting time schedule provides, and you need to use the extra time to support a child support modification
These are just a few of the many instances when you should consider parenting time modifications. Modifications to parenting time are always focused on the needs and best interests of the children. There must also be an existing court order; if there is no court order for custody and parenting time, then a new custody and parenting time case must be started in the courts.