As children grow, their needs, schedules and preferences change. A parenting plan that worked well when a child was younger may not be suitable for a teenager. If your current custody arrangement is causing conflicts or no longer fits your teen’s lifestyle, it may be time to consider a modification.
You and your co-parent can virtually always agree to a modification, and then work with your legal team to formalize it. But even if your co-parent resists, courts generally recognize that circumstances evolve, and adjustments can be made to better support a teen’s development and well-being accordingly.
Signs that it may be time for a modification
Some common reasons to consider modifying a parenting plan include:
- Increased school or extracurricular commitments that interfere with an existing custody or parenting time schedule
- A teenager expressing a preference for a different living arrangement
- One parent relocating, making the current schedule difficult to maintain
- Changes in a parent’s work schedule that affect their availability
- Struggles with transportation between homes due to school, activities or work obligations
- Conflict between the teen and a parent, impacting their comfort in the current arrangement
A rigid custody plan may no longer work if it prevents a teen from fully participating in school, sports or social activities as well.
If your teen’s needs have changed and your current parenting plan no longer works, consulting a skilled legal team can help you to better understand your options. A legal professional can guide you through the modification process and work toward a solution that ideally benefits your child, you and your co-parent alike.