You may have options if a parenting plan no longer works for your family. However, Florida has rules about when you can request a change in your child custody schedule or other arrangements.
Review this information about parenting plan modification if you settled your original case in the Sunshine State.
Modification process
Either parent can petition the court for modification. They must prove that the child’s circumstances have changed in a substantial, material and unanticipated way since the last custody order. Examples of such a change include but are not limited to poor grades, mental health issues, neglect, abuse or substance use in the home.
Best interest standards
The court uses the same best interest standards as in the original custody case, including but not limited to:
- Each parent’s willingness to foster a relationship between the child and the other parent
- Who cares for the child during each parent’s time with them
- The comfort and safety of the child’s current environment
- The geographic locations of each parent
- Each parent’s mental and physical health
- Whether the child has a consistent, healthy routine in the current environment
- The child’s wishes, depending on age and maturity
Each parent can present evidence to support their position on custody modification. The judge will make a decision based on these facts, guided by the best interest standards.