A divorce involving children can have a lot of issues that have to be handled, including developing a parenting plan. The court will make decisions that are in the best interest of the child to ensure both parents have a relationship with them.
However, things can change in the future, and the existing order may no longer work. To continue spending quality time with your child, you should consider requesting a modification of the visitation schedule. Here are three situations that may call for this:
1. Changes in a child’s schedule
If your child’s schedule has changed, affecting the visitation plan, you should make changes. This mostly happens due to changes in school or extra-curricular activities. If they are busy when they should be with you, it may help to change visitation times to make accommodations for everyone’s needs.
2. A long-distance move
When co-parents live near each other, it’s more manageable for the kids to move between the two homes. However, when you relocate far, perhaps for work, it can be difficult for your kids to visit as they did before. Thus, you can move your visitation days to the weekends and then request virtual visitation during the week.
3. Your co-parent constantly violates the existing plan
If the other parent finds it challenging to work with the current visitation schedule but has not requested a modification, you may be affected. They may keep canceling your visitation time or make it hard for you to spend time with your child in other ways. Whether deliberate or not, this is a problem. It may help to talk and encourage them to suggest any changes. If they don’t, you can request a modification with the court.
Visitation schedules may stop working. If this is your case, get legal help to make changes that allow you to maintain a healthy relationship with your children.