New Hampshire courts generally allow both parents to take an active role in a child’s life after they divorce. In many cases, the terms of a parenting plan are crafted by the parents themselves before being approved by a court. If circumstances warrant, the terms of such a plan can be renegotiated.
A child’s needs may change
As children get older, their needs will change. For instance, babies generally benefit from spending as much time as possible with one parent or in one home. However, older kids can typically handle spending time between two homes. Furthermore, older children may be given the ability to provide input into how a child custody plan is structured. If your son or daughter expresses an interest in making changes to an existing pact, it may be worth talking about ways to possibly accommodate their wishes.
Your circumstances may change
If you move closer to your child’s home, it may be possible to obtain more parenting time. The same might be true if you find a job that offers a consistent schedule. In the event that you lose your job, it may be a good idea to ask your child’s other parent for more help taking care of your son or daughter. Finally, the terms of a parenting plan may need to change if you have to seek help for a substance abuse issue or because you were incarcerated on a drug or other type of charge.
A parenting plan must always be structured in a manner that preserves a child’s best interests. Therefore, a loss of income, a relocation or other issues may require that changes are made to an existing plan. If necessary, you may petition a judge directly to alter an existing custody or visitation plan.
