Child custody is a legal decision that can be reached between the parents and/or the court and defines who has decision making rights for a child. Major provisions of this type include legal and physical arrangements for child care and living, visitation rights, and decision-making rights as well as other essentialities to the welfare of the child.
Every parent should get legal advice when developing or changing such arrangements with an aim of satisfying all the legal needs and supporting the best interests of the child. It includes and keeps a stable and predictable environment and reactions to unexpected situations in a child’s life during the period of change.
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Why might you have to Change a Child Custody Arrangement?
Below are some of the reasons why parents may require to change an existing child custody agreement. Based on the best interests of the child, circumstances that may require a reconsideration of the present custody order include a parent’s move, shift in work schedule, or changes in care needs for the child.
Also, as children grow up they change in some ways resulting in some changes in order to have the best arrangement of custody for the children. It is thus relevant to consider the process of modification of the attachment paradigm in a careful and child-centered manner.
How does one Start the Process of Changing a Custody Arrangement for a Child?
The steps involved in changing a child custody arrangement often start by the parents involved having a conference. The involvement of the parties makes this process less painful when there is openness and this is made more amicable. It is wise for both parents to look at the existing schedule, define which aspects require changes and discuss new interventions.
The records of these discussions can be useful for both the developer and the survey team because they formalize discussion documentation and the proposed changes for the modification procedure.
In what way can mediation be beneficial in cases of altering the custody provisions of a child?
Mediation is another technique of the ADR that is effective when it comes to the change of child custody. Both parents arrange to sit down and have a face to face negotiation where there is a neutral third party helping the parents come to the agreed decisions.
One advantage that could be said for mediation is that it is not as confrontational as a court trial, thus encouraging collaboration and minimizing rivalry. It can usually be applied advantageously to the case so as to protect the best interests of the child without going through the lengthy and expensive court process.
How could the Modified Agreement be Finalized and Implemented?
When this is the case and an agreement is arrived at whether it is through bargaining, mediation or even getting an order from the court the new agreement is then legally enforceable. The final structure of the document should be reviewed by both parents so that the former is satisfied with the new conditions provided by the latter.
Thus, it must be highly important to have good communication and cooperation to make the transition good for the child. If the child is to undergo any future changes to the care and placement arrangements, much like before, then this process should also be centered around the child’s best interest.
Conclusion
It is thus important for any parent of a child involved in the Law to understand the legal process and the factors he/she needs to Aiming at the best interest of the child, parents can easily facilitate the process of modifying arrangements involving child custody so that to guarantee the child favorable conditions for his/her development.
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