The custody order you receive as part of your initial divorce proceeding may work for that initial period, but that does not mean it will work forever. As your children get older, their needs change and your work schedule or life demands may change as well. That is why you may decide to petition for custody modification.
There are a few common reasons why divorced couples modify their custody orders.
The children want to live with the other parent
As your children approach their teen years, the courts are often more willing to consider their preferences and wishes in the custody order. If both parents agree and the children wish to live with the other parent, a custody modification can adjust that.
One parent is relocating
When one parent relocates, whether for work or personal reasons, the custody order may need revision. If the move takes the parent further away and makes routine visitation difficult, you may need to create a long-term visitation schedule with summer vacations and school holiday trips to encourage that relationship. In other cases, you may need to adjust the visitation days due to travel challenges.
The goal of any child custody agreement is to preserve the relationship with both parents so long as that is in the child’s best interest. The court will consider any custody agreement reached by the parents but may override it if there are safety or legal concerns. When you need to adjust your custody order, petition the court for reconsideration.