Some uneven custody arrangements are the result of agreements between parents. One parent doesn’t have a place to live yet or has an unusual job schedule, so the other accepts the majority of the parenting time for their children.
Other times, uneven custody arrangements are the result of a court order. The judge considers factors ranging from the stability of the parents to their relationships with their children when deciding how to divide parental rights and responsibilities. They may give far more parenting time to a parent who has a strong connection with the children or stable circumstances.
While it is necessary to respect the custody order as it stands, parents can also work to improve their circumstances. They could then ask the courts to revisit the custody order and increase their parenting time. When can a parent go back to family court in the hopes of securing more time with their children?
When they reach an agreement
Parents typically have the option of cooperating to adjust their custody arrangements. If one parent has made a concerted, consistent effort to show up for the children and improve their situation, the other parent may recognize those efforts by agreeing to change the division of parenting time. So long as there is an agreement between the parents, it is usually possible to modify an existing custody order at any point to include the new terms that parents believe are best for their children.
When there is proof of positive changes
A co-parent may be skeptical of the improvements a struggling parent has made. If they do not readily agree to change the custody order, then a judge might need to intervene. Contested or litigated modifications are possible when there is proof of a significant change in circumstances. A parent securing a new job or acquiring a home of their own could be enough of a change to warrant a review of the current custody order.
The completion of parenting classes or substance abuse therapy could also help convince a judge that circumstances have changed enough to shift what is best for the children. Parents who work toward improving their circumstances can often request custody modifications to increase the time they can spend with their children.
Reviewing a current custody order and the changes that have occurred with a skilled legal team can help parents determine if it is time for custody modification. Those seeking more time with their children may need help negotiating with a co-parent or preparing the paperwork necessary for a contested custody modification, and that’s okay.