Parenting Plan Modification for the Start of School

A parenting plan is commonly referred to as a custody or visitation agreement —  ensuring a schedule or agreement. When a couple wants a divorce, one of the things they need to work out with help from an Atlanta divorce lawyer is a schedule of how each of them will spend time with their children. While one parent may get primary custody, the other parent has to be able to have access to the children.

Parenting plans come up in many ways. Courts in many states encourage couples to work out a schedule on their own, officially adopted by the court. However, in many cases of divorce, the couples cannot agree.

In such cases, under Georgia custody laws, the court is likely to work out a schedule for the couple. In such cases, the parents’ lawyers will negotiate a plan acceptable to both parties.

Modifying a Parenting Plan

While a couple may have initially agreed on a Georgia court parental plan, circumstances change. Some of the reasons that could bring about parenting plan modification include the following:

• Changing needs of the child. For example, a change in school may mean that the child has to travel a reasonably long distance to get to their primary custodial parent.
• If one parent relocates, it may disrupt the parenting plan schedule and require a change.
• Change in economic circumstances, such as one parent losing a job.

Suppose you are considering modifying your current parenting plan. In that case, it is a good idea to engage an Atlanta family law attorney such as North Georgia Family Lawyers, LLC. This is because you get the proper legal support and increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

How Schooling Needs May Lead to Parenting Plan Modifications

The courts regard the ability of a child to access quality education as a fundamental right. For this reason, parenting plans can have a modification based on changing educational needs. Many parents often realize that the agreed schedules in the original parenting plan may not work out at the start of a new school year. Due to a variety of circumstances, school-induced parenting plan modifications usually take the following forms:

Exchanging times to accommodate the needs of the child better. For example, the parent who gets the child on weekends may exchange these schedules for one that involves having the child over on school days.

In some parenting plans, there is a slot for a mid-week visit. However, with the start of a school year, having the child move from one parent to another in the middle of a school week may be too hectic.

What the Process Involves

In many jurisdictions, modifying a parenting plan will involve court approval. Generally speaking, most parents can agree on the required changes.

Once they have concluded, their child custody attorneys will typically go through the agreement to ensure that both parties are legally protected, then file the modification.

However, in some cases, the couple may not be able to agree, and this will then require a court hearing for a judge to make a ruling. Under these circumstances, the parties are likely to engage a child custody attorney to help with presenting the case and any negotiations that may come up.

The North Georgia Family Lawyers, LLC, has top-notch Atlanta family law attorneys who can help you with any parenting plan modifications you need to make. We understand Georgia custody laws, and as top Atlanta divorce laws, we can help you get a favorable outcome. Get in touch with North Georgia Family Lawyers, LLC, today for legal advice about your parenting plan modification case.