With back-to-school season in full swing, shopping for school supplies is not the only thing some parents need to worry about this time of year. For divorced or separated parents, the new schedule and transitions can add stress and call for custody modifications.
Every August, similar issues arise between parents: disagreements over school drop-off and pick-up times, extracurriculars, and the split of parenting time. The good news is that all of these issues can be avoided with clear early communication between parents.
If you’re looking into custody modifications, you’ll want to take a look at your Standard Possession Order (SPO) and use it as a guideline for scheduling, but if that no longer applies, you’ll want to modify your custody order.
At Schneider Law Firm, we will guide you through the steps of modifying your custody order.
To modify a custody order in Texas, you must file a “Suit to Modify the Parent-Child Relationship” with the court that issued the original order. You must be able to prove there has been a change in circumstances. For back-to-school, this can be a significant schedule change, whether it is your work schedule or your child’s school and extracurricular schedule.
Before you submit a request to modify your SPO, it is important to draft a plan and communicate with the other parent to make sure everyone agrees.
While it is important to plan, you may want to hold off on making changes to custody until your child has settled into their new school and extracurricular schedule.
Still, it is important to maintain communication with the other parent to ensure the first few weeks of school go as smoothly as possible before adopting any changes to custody.
What should you modify?
A few common instances parents might need to modify once school starts are pick-up and drop-off times, transportation responsibilities, and school break parenting time. If you already have the schedules for these, you can start planning now.
Another instance that may result in modification of the custody schedule is if your child is involved in extracurricular activities that require parents to attend events or pay additional fees.
Being invested in both the academic and personal growth of your child matters to help your children thrive.
Even if issues arise with custody, it is important to stay calm and positive to reduce tension. Schneider Law Firm can help you resolve parental disputes and protect your parental rights as you navigate custody modification.
At this time, what matters is finding a schedule that works for all of the parties involved, but most importantly for the child. Moving between two households, managing school, and extracurricular commitments can be overwhelming.
At Schneider Law Firm, we will help you navigate your circumstances to make sure your children’s best interests are protected. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can support your family this school year.