Glastonbury Child Custody Modification Lawyer

As families move on following a separation or divorce, their situations can change over time. In some cases, these changes may cause one or both parents to request the court to modify their existing child custody order. As this process can be challenging, you should seek the services of a Glastonbury child custody modification lawyer.

A change in a child custody agreement also may require alterations in additional orders, such as the support and visitation contracts. As the law provides various options for creating custody, visitation, and support orders for a child, a family attorney could explore all available options with you.

How to Modify a Child Custody Order

A parent may be able to alter their custody order if significant changes have occurred since the court established the agreement. Additionally, a parent also may request a modification if they can prove that the current order is no longer in the best interests of the child. Some common reasons that may necessitate a custody modification include:

• One parent moving a substantial distance away, such as out of state
• The work schedule of a parent changes considerably
• A parent is arrested or facing criminal charges related to drugs or alcohol
• Allegations of child abuse by either parent

It is important to note that the court must approve all modifications. A Glastonbury lawyer familiar with child custody modifications could help a parent prepare a case that justifies their request to alter their current agreement.

What Factors Do Courts Consider When Changing a Custody Agreement?

Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56(c), a court modifying a custody order must consider the best interests of the child. In doing so, the court must consider:

• The needs of the child and the capacity of each parent to meet those needs
• The informed preferences of the child and both parents
• The past and prevailing interactions and relationship of the child with each parent, siblings, and other persons who affect the minor
• The willingness of each parent to foster a relationship between the child and the other parent

The court also may take other components into account that it finds to be relevant. These may include the actions one parent takes to interfere with the relationship between their child and the other party and the stability of the existing or proposed agreement. As a child custody modification attorney in Glastonbury could review a case and determine which factors may become important to the court’s decision to update an order.

Custody Options

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56a establishes a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of a child when both parents have agreed to it. This agreement gives legal custody to both parents, which refers to the decision-making authority a parent has over a child. In cases of joint legal custody, parents must cooperate and engage in shared decision-making about their child.

Physical custody considers where the child spends most of their time. In joint physical custody situations, parents may share roughly equal time with their child. Some cases, however, may not permit joint physical custody, such as when the parents live a substantial distance away from each other.

In this case, one parent may have sole physical custody of their child, and the other may have scheduled visitations. If one parent wants to change their custody order to a joint parenting agreement, they should speak with a Glastonbury lawyer could help this individual make legally binding modifications to a parenting-time schedule.

Retain a Glastonbury Child Custody Modification Attorney

Child custody disputes can be some of the most emotional and highly charged conflicts in family law proceedings. As making adjustments to a parenting-time agreement can be a stressful and challenging process, getting the advice of a Glastonbury child custody modification lawyer could be highly beneficial.

Not only can counsel protect your legal rights, but they can advocate on your behalf throughout lengthy custody proceedings. For more information, call today.