Buckhead Child Custody Modification Lawyer
If your circumstances have changed significantly since drafting your current parenting plan, you may request a modification to your custody order to better fit your family’s new needs. A steadfast child custody attorney can help you request the appropriate modifications for your situation.
There are limitations on when modification can be made, however, and a parent asking for a change to their custody plan must adhere to specific legal procedures. A seasoned Buckhead child custody modification lawyer can help you file the correct paperwork, meet important legal deadlines, and represent you in court.
Changing Visitation Orders
In some cases, a visitation or parenting schedule dictates how much time either parent has with their shared children. Official Code of Georgia Annotated §19-9-3(b) gives both parents the right to ask the courts to change this schedule upon a material change in either of their circumstances. Otherwise, a parent can request an alteration to visitation every two years without proving a qualifying change in circumstances.
However, the petitioner may need to propose a new parenting plan that will be better for their children. A Buckhead attorney can help you draft an updated parenting schedule and present it to a judge on your behalf.
Material Change in Circumstances
A parent can ask for a change in custody if their current order no longer suits their children’s best interests. Those seeking significant modifications must present convincing evidence that the changes promote their kids’ best interests. A variety of situations may constitute a material change in circumstances, and the courts review these cases on an individual basis to determine whether a custody modification is warranted.
Examples of qualifying circumstances include a custodial parent becoming unfit to care for their children as well as a child over the age of 14 requesting to live with their noncustodial parent, under O.C.G.A. §19-9-3(a)(5). A custodial parent who relocates out of state with or without their children may also warrant a material change in circumstances.
A parent in Buckhead seeking to make alterations to their legally binding parenting plan can benefit from speaking with a qualified lawyer about whether sufficient grounds for child custody modifications are present in their case.
Alterations for Military Deployments
Exceptions outlined in O.C.G.A. §19-9-3(i) allow a military parent to make child custody modifications according to their deployment schedule. While a judge cannot make permanent modifications for service-related travel, they may address temporary custody changes in preparation for a parent’s deployment on an expedited basis. A dedicated child custody alteration lawyer in Buckhead can provide valuable advice to a parent seeking to make modifications based on their military obligations.
Let a Buckhead Child Custody Modification Attorney Help Your Family
Parenting plans can have a considerable impact on familial relationships and the welfare of children. Knowledgeable legal counsel can explain your options for modifying your custody order and offer professional guidance during the process.
A skilled Buckhead child custody modification lawyer can help you pursue a parenting plan that is best for your family. Contact our intake team today to learn more about how an attorney can help advocate for your family.
