A parenting plan outlines parental rights and responsibilities, including time-sharing and decision-making authority. Parents are obligated to follow the court-approved plan. If issues arise, they should return to court to modify the plan.
One common reason for modification is when a co-parent consistently cancels or shortens their time with the children. In such cases, asking the court to update time-sharing arrangements can be a reasonable request. Modifying the plan can be a smart move when one parent doesn’t make full use of their time-sharing rights.
Minimizing damage caused to the children
Even in cases where the children are more comfortable or happier with one parent than the other, they value both parental bonds. They have a strong need for the love and approval of both parents.
When one parent regularly fails to show up or shortens their time with the children, that can cause a profound sense of rejection. Children who get excited about seeing one parent only to have them cancel at the last minute may experience a roller coaster of emotional reactions.
Modifying time sharing to reflect a parent’s actual commitment levels diminishes the rejection the children experience.
Eliminating last-minute stress
Parents have to work their personal lives and careers around their time-sharing arrangements. They rely on the respite provided by the other parent’s time to attend medical appointments, go on dates and continue their education.
A co-parent canceling with little advance notice can put the other parent in a difficult position. They either have to cancel their plans or scramble for childcare. They may end up paying more for last-minute childcare and may have to compromise the quality of the services they secure. Modifying the time-sharing arrangements to limit one parent’s ability to cancel can help make the other parent’s schedule more predictable.
Justifying support adjustments
The overall division of time-sharing is one factor that the courts consider when deciding the appropriate amount of child support to order. A parent who has more time with the children may also be eligible for more child support when the other parent fails to consistently show up for their time-sharing.
Pursuing a child custody modification can help parents deal with the frustration of a chronically absent co-parent. The courts may update their time-sharing arrangements to better reflect how often each parent shows up for the children.