Silva Law Office

Over time you may want to modify the custody, visitation or child support terms of your divorce papers as they do not meet all of the needs of you or your children. The court may consider changing or modifying some of those terms. These include:

1. Child custody and visitation. Unless there is an emergency, do not make major changes to custody or visitation without a written agreement or court order. However, at the same time, be flexible if your former spouse asks to swap weekends. You do not need a written agreement for every deviation from your custody and visitation order. When in doubt, call your attorney.

2. If you experience a change in your employment or income, contact your attorney to run preliminary, estimated child support calculations.  Do not make changes in child support without a written agreement or order.

3. Other financial matters such as daycare costs, education costs, or medical costs, can also be modified by agreement or court order.

4. A custodial parent may seek permission to move out of state with minor children.  However, unless the other parent agrees, the custodial parent must seek the court’s prior approval.  In addition to a change in the parenting plan, the court may also change the child support provision to take into account the cost of the children’s transportation to and from the parties’ homes for visitation.