Modify Your Parenting Plan Effectively

As your child gets older, you'll need to update your parenting plan. Your parenting plan might cover how you'll handle modifications, like whether you'll go to mediation or negotiate one-on-one. Here's all you need to know about modifying your parenting plan.

When is modifying a parenting plan allowed?

The family court will let you modify your parenting plan if it no longer meets your child's needs or it is no longer feasible for parents to follow.

While the process for modifying a parenting plan may differ from state to state, there are generally five steps you must go through:

1. Get the right paperwork to file a petition to modify a parenting plan in your state.
2. Fill out the paperwork, specify what you are revising and supply supporting documentation for the changes.
3. File the paperwork with your local court and keep copies for yourself.
4. Notify the other parent about the filing, and deliver a copy of the papers.
5. Appear at the hearing to answer any questions about the modifications.

If the judge finds that your reasons are compelling enough, they approve the modifications to the parenting plan.

What events can trigger modifying a parenting plan?

There are several things that may prompt you to modify your parenting plan, such as life events or changes to your child's needs. To help the family court understand why a modification is needed, you may want to keep records of major changes.

Among the more common reasons you may need to change your parenting plan are:

• Job change for you or the other parent
• Remarriage for you or the other parent
• Relocation for you or the other parent
• Changing schools or school schedules for your child
• Negative effects on development in the child due to current plan
• Maturation of child that requires more age appropriate schedules
• Unfit parenting status for you or the other parent

You may wish to change whole sections of the parenting plan, or just update an area or two. Make modifications easily with Custody X Change. Our software allows you to make sample changes to the existing plan and custody schedule so you can submit your proposals to the court.

What's the first step to modify a parenting plan?

The first step when modifying a parenting plan is to identify exactly what the problem is with the current plan, then develop a solution. Many parents keep a parenting journal to track problems and make notes about how their child is responding to different parts of the parenting plan.

Here are three examples of problems and solutions:

• Your child was a toddler when you separated, and your parenting plan did not allow for overnight visits with the other parent. Now that your child is in elementary school, you both agree that it's time for every other weekend at the other's home.
• The other parent is moving a few hours away due to a new job and you currently have joint physical custody. You want to modify the parenting plan and the custody arrangements so that you will have sole physical custody.
• Your teen has decided he wants to change the visitation schedule to alternating weeks at each home. This is so he can have more stability for school and extracurricular activities and not feel so transient. You and the other parent agree that a new schedule will help him stay on top of homework and focus more on school.

In order to strengthen your position with the other parent and the family court, gather as much documentation as you can.

Create a sample parenting plan using Custody X Change to present to the court that clearly illustrates what changes and revisions you have in mind. You can print out your revisions to present to the other parent, your lawyer and the family court.

What do I need to know when modifying the parenting plan?

When you start the process of modifying your parenting plan, you must always keep your child's needs at the forefront. The family court judge will not approve revisions to a parenting plan that does not favor positive development in the child.

The revisions and modifications you make should be age appropriate. If you are making a correction to the parenting plan, include changes that promote your child's needs rather than your own.

If your child is old enough to express themself well, you may want to ask them about the changes you are considering. They may have some insight into solutions to the problem, or can let you know of other issues you might not be aware of.

If possible, meet with the other parent to discuss the modifications you are considering. Hopefully, you will be on the same page for the benefit of your child. If not, you can still request a modification to the parenting plan through the court.

What if the other parent doesn't support modifying the parenting plan?

If the other parent doesn't support modifying the parenting plan, you can start the process on your own. If you can show the changes will benefit your child, the judge will most likely approve the modifications.

While it's ideal that parents agree on the changes, it's not always easy. Sometimes, the changes are required because of something the other parent has done or has not done.

Here are some steps to start communicating with the other parent about modifying the parenting plan:

1. Keep track of the particular problem in a parenting journal.
2. Let the other parent know about the problem and that you'd like to discuss it.
3. Show the other parent examples of the problem and ask if they've noticed any examples.
4. Offer a few different solutions to the problem.
5. Be open to negotiations with the other parent in finding the ultimate solution.
6. Proceed ahead with the modifications if you can't reach an agreement.

As long as you can back up your proposed modifications with evidence, the court is likely to approve. Use Custody X Change to create a clear, neat plan for the proceedings.

How can I tell if modifying a parenting plan is working?

Keep a parenting journal so that you can tell if your parenting plan modifications are working. Document problems or issues that result from the parenting plan. An adjustment period is normal so you should allow some time to pass before judging how well the modified plan works.

The Custody X Change online app includes a journal feature that connects your notes to specific days on the custody schedule. As needed, you can print out your parenting journal for reference or to hand to the other parent to start communication.

Ultimately, the family court wants parents to make modifications to the parenting plan as often as needed in order to promote a healthy, stable and loving environment for their child.

The easiest way to make a parenting plan

Creating a parenting plan on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to be sure to use airtight legal language and can't omit any required information.

Use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app walks you through each step of creating a comprehensive parenting plan.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

The result is a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent and secures your child's future.

The easiest and most reliable way to make a parenting plan is with Custody X Change.

Try this with Custody X Change.