When Life Changes After a Parenting Plan Is Entered

[Jhon Dolton]

Parenting arrangements are generally created based on a family's circumstances at a particular point in time. Children, however, grow older. Parents change jobs, relocate, remarry, or experience financial changes. School schedules and extracurricular activities can also become substantially different as children move from one stage of life to another.

As a result, a parenting arrangement that worked well several years ago may become increasingly difficult for a family to follow.

When circumstances change, parents may need to determine whether they can adapt within their existing arrangement or whether a formal modification should be considered.

Parenting Plans Are Designed to Provide Structure

A parenting plan can establish important expectations concerning where children spend their time, exchanges between parents, holidays, vacations, communication, and important decisions affecting the children.

This structure can be valuable following a separation or divorce because both parents have a framework for understanding their responsibilities.

Problems can arise, however, when the family's circumstances change substantially.

A schedule developed for a five-year-old may not necessarily work as well when that child becomes a teenager. Similarly, an arrangement based upon parents living relatively close together can become more complicated when employment or other circumstances increase the distance between their homes.

Individuals dealing with these issues can benefit from understanding more about child custody and parenting-related legal matters.

Children's Needs Can Change

Children's schedules often become considerably more complicated as they get older.

School activities, athletics, clubs, employment, friendships, transportation, and other commitments may affect the practicality of an existing parenting schedule.

Older children may also have opinions about schedules and activities that parents did not need to consider when the children were younger.

Parents can sometimes address these developments through reasonable communication and flexibility. At the same time, informal changes can create uncertainty when parents have significantly different expectations about what the parenting plan requires.

A Parent's Circumstances May Also Change

Children are not the only members of the family whose circumstances change.

A parent may receive a new job opportunity, experience a significant change in working hours, move to another community, remarry, or encounter health or financial issues.

Any of these developments can affect how an existing parenting arrangement operates.

Not every change requires returning to court. The significance of a particular development depends upon the applicable law, the existing court order, and the circumstances of the family.

Communication Can Prevent Unnecessary Conflict

Changes involving children can become contentious when parents stop communicating effectively.

One parent may view a proposed schedule adjustment as reasonable while the other sees it as interference with parenting time. An extracurricular activity that appears important to one parent may seem unnecessarily disruptive to the other.

Parents can sometimes avoid larger disputes by discussing these issues early rather than waiting until a conflict becomes urgent.

Written communication can also help parents clearly identify what is being requested and avoid misunderstandings about proposed changes.

Informal Agreements Have Limitations

Parents frequently make minor adjustments to parenting schedules without returning to court.

For example, parents might exchange weekends, accommodate a special event, or alter an exchange time. Reasonable flexibility can make parenting arrangements easier for everyone involved.

More substantial or permanent changes can present different considerations.

An informal arrangement between parents does not necessarily modify an existing court order. If disagreements develop later, the written order may remain important.

Before relying upon a significant long-term change, parents may want to understand whether a formal modification is appropriate.

Changes Can Affect More Than Parenting Time

A significant change in family circumstances may involve several interconnected issues.

Parenting schedules can affect transportation, school arrangements, extracurricular activities, childcare, and financial responsibilities. Changes in income or parenting arrangements can also raise questions involving support.

Divorce and domestic relations cases therefore often involve issues that cannot be considered entirely in isolation. Individuals dealing with changing circumstances may find it helpful to learn more about divorce and related domestic relations matters.

Avoid Turning Every Disagreement Into Litigation

Parents will not agree about everything.

Differences involving schedules, activities, transportation, school events, and other everyday matters are common. Returning to court over every disagreement can increase conflict and expense without necessarily improving the situation for the children.

Parents may benefit from distinguishing between temporary inconveniences and significant changes that genuinely affect the operation of an existing parenting arrangement.

Negotiation, mediation, and other dispute-resolution methods may also provide ways to address some disagreements without prolonged litigation.

When a Formal Modification May Become Necessary

Sometimes circumstances change enough that an existing order no longer works effectively.

The legal requirements for modifying an order vary depending upon the jurisdiction and the particular issue involved. Courts may consider the circumstances surrounding the requested change and, in matters involving children, factors related to the children's interests and well-being.

Because modification standards can be fact-specific, parents should understand the applicable requirements before assuming that a change in circumstances will automatically result in a different court order.

Those dealing with modifications or other domestic relations issues can review additional information concerning family law and domestic relations matters.

Planning for the Next Stage of Family Life

Parenting arrangements cannot anticipate every development that may occur over the course of a child's life.

The goal is generally to provide enough stability for children and parents while recognizing that families continue to change.

When circumstances evolve, parents may benefit from evaluating the existing arrangement carefully, communicating about legitimate concerns, and determining whether an informal adjustment or formal legal action is appropriate.

Every domestic relations case is different. The appropriate approach depends upon the applicable law, the existing court orders, and the particular circumstances of the family.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction, and the information contained in this article may not apply to a particular situation. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individuals should consult with a licensed attorney regarding their specific circumstances.

Stange Law Firm, PC is responsible for the content. Principal office: 600 Emerson Road, Suite 110, Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141.

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