If you and your spouse decide to take separate paths, you may encounter a variety of difficult decisions as you prepare to open a new chapter in life. If you have children, addressing every vital topic involved with pursuing an amicable parenting plan is likely a high priority, but it can also be somewhat complex.
After reaching an acceptable arrangement, you might be wondering what will happen if circumstances change down the road. While covering every possible future scenario during negotiations could prove challenging, there are a variety of scenarios in which you may be able to seek modifications to the original agreement.
Seeking modifications
If you worry that a change in life circumstances will impact your current visitation schedules, it may become necessary to revisit the original agreement and seek modifications. Some possible reasons to seek changes to a parenting plan may include:
- Need to relocate: If a change in employment or a desire to be closer to family members leaves you with a need to relocate, seeking changes to keep the move from disrupting visitation schedules could be vital.
- Safety as a concern: The well-being of your children is a high priority, and if you feel the current arrangement poses a threat to their safety, seeking changes to safeguard their needs could prove imperative.
- Violation of terms: If the other parent continually violates the terms of your parenting plan, addressing the situation and making the required adjustments could be essential.
- Needs of the kids: As your children grow up, their circumstances may also change, and in some cases, it could be in their best interests to seek out such modifications.
If you and the other parent cannot reach an agreement on the proposed changes, it may be up to the court to decide if it is necessary to alter your parenting plan. If a day in court seems likely, it might be in your best interests to seek advice on how to prepare for what comes next.
Guidance in the process
With little to no experience in the area, understanding every aspect to address when seeking modifications to a child custody agreement can be a challenging endeavor. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone, and by speaking with someone with intricate knowledge of Maryland state child custody laws, you could gain much-needed insight on how best to navigate the process. Such guidance could help you better prepare to make informed choices as you pursue the necessary changes to your parenting plan.
