When you make a decision about a parenting plan in Florida, it typically holds until your child is an adult and can make their own decisions regarding where they want to live. However, there are some situations that could warrant making changes to the plan so that each parent and your child benefits.
New location
In the event that one parent needs to move to a new location due to employment or another significant circumstance, a child custody plan might need to be changed. Keep in mind that relocating isn’t an automatic guarantee for changing the plan if there are ways that each parent can travel so that your child can still spend the same time with each party. Sometimes, a plan might place limits on how far a parent can move or where a parent can move until your child is of a certain age.
Following the terms
If one parent makes the decision not to follow the terms set forth in a parenting plan, then the court could make the decision to modify the order. Examples could be not bringing your child back to the designated meeting spot or to your home when they are supposed to or not providing information about where your child will be while they are with the other parent.
Child’s needs
If you have a baby or a toddler, then their needs could be significantly different than those of an older child or a teenager. As your child gets older, their needs can sometimes result in changes that are made with the parenting plan as they might not need as much care from one parent or the other, resulting in being able to spend an equal amount of time with each parent.
While most parenting plans are finalized when they are made, there are reasons that the court could consider making adjustments for the parents or for the benefit of the child.