It can take parents weeks in court or in private negotiations to establish a parenting plan. It is common for parents to disagree about everything from the division of parenting time to the rules they must both apply to their shared children.
Once you have rules in writing and approved by the courts, your focus will shift from setting the terms of shared custody to the daily practice of co-parenting. Even if you try to include terms that address possible future concerns for your family in the parenting plan, you may find that it is out of date and requires significant changes. The good news is that you don’t have to fight with your ex in court to update your parenting plan.
Uncontested modifications are a simple process
Changing your parenting plan does means going to court for a custody modification hearing. However, if your ex agrees to the changes that you propose, you don’t have to litigate. Instead, you can file a request for an uncontested modification.
A new job, a change to your schedule or the addition of sports to the children’s weekly routine could all be good reasons to seek a modification. If the court agrees that there has been a substantial change to your circumstances, they will grant a hearing request, and they will approve modifications that they determine are in the best interests of the children.
Updates that reflect your changing family circumstances don’t have to lead to lengthy court proceedings or damage your relationship with your ex. Knowing when to pursue a post-decree modification can make sharing custody easier after a divorce.