How Does Parenting Plan Modification Work?
One of the many areas of expertise our family law attorneys can help you with is parenting plan modification. Read on to learn more about parenting plans in Tennessee and get answers to important questions such as– how does parenting plan modification work?
What is a parenting plan?
A parenting plan is a document that entails the day-to-day responsibilities and practices of unmarried, divorced, or divorcing parents regarding caring for children under the age of 18. Some terms you should be familiar with and that we can explain in further detail include:
- primary residential parent (PRP)– this designation refers to the parent who spends more than 50% of the child’s time with them. Remember, the goal of creating a parenting plan is to give both parents as much time as possible with their child.
- alternative residential parent (ARP)– this designation refers to the other parent who spends less time with the child. Even if the time between parents is a 50-50 split, a PRP and ARP must be named in the paperwork for school zoning reasons.
- residential time or co-parenting time– this determines when the child is in each parent’s care and establishes a schedule based on time spent. For example, the child may spend alternative weeks with one parent, or follow a 2-2-3 schedule.
What factors can affect a parenting plan?
When negotiating a parenting plan either inside or outside the courtroom, there are many factors to consider when it comes to providing the best possible care for the child or children involved. A few examples include:
- Child’s preference (if 12 years or older)
- Child’s physical and mental health
- Distance between parents’ homes
- Parents’ physical and mental health
- Parents’ employment and work schedule
- Strength of the relationship between parent and child
If any one of the circumstances changes, parenting plan modification will need to occur. Parents are legally obligated to adhere to the parenting plan, but this agreement is not permanent by any means. The parenting plan can be tweaked and adjusted when necessary, which is where our expertise comes in!
How does parenting plan modification work?
Modifying a parenting plan begins with filing a Petition for Modification. Step 2 is hand-delivering a copy of the petition to the other parent via a dedicated process server. From there, parents have two options– settling out of court through mediation or resolving the case through the Court. Having an expert family lawyer on your side ensures that we will do everything in our power to amicably resolve parenting plan modification through a neutral mediation process.
Why choose Landry & Azevedo family attorneys in Knoxville?
Choosing an attorney to negotiate and advocate for the best interests of your child is an important step in parenting plan modification. You can rely on our Knoxville family lawyers to not only listen to your concerns but also work with you to find a positive solution for your children.
Parenting plan modification is a simple process when you trust a reputable law firm like Landry & Azevedo to handle all of the legwork. Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with our family law experts today!
