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Is It Worth Changing Court Orders?

Court orders often seem like a permanent solution to legal disputes. However, in reality, they are more flexible than they appear. Especially in family law, where circumstances evolve, these orders can change over time. Whether it’s a custody arrangement or visitation schedule, life’s changes demand a closer look at whether these rulings still make sense. But is it worth the effort to modify a court order? In this month’s blog, we’ll talk about when it makes sense and when it might not.

When Should You Consider Changing a Court Order?

There are situations where changing a court order isn’t just worth it, but necessary. Most commonly, these changes occur in family law when child custody ends or spousal support needs adjusting. Let’s break down the most common reasons and steps involved in modifying court orders.

  1. Significant Life Changes

A key reason to seek a court order modification is a substantial change in circumstances. If someone’s income has significantly decreased or a parent relocates, for example, continuing with the existing order may no longer make sense. Courts are generally willing to listen when the original situation has shifted dramatically.

2. Modifying Your Parenting Plan

Modifying a parenting plan is one of the simpler changes to make in Family Court. If you and your ex-spouse see eye to eye, you can both submit an updated parenting plan for the court to approve and have the Judge sign off on it. Here’s how the process works.

However, if you and your ex don’t agree, things can get more complicated. Instead of just filing paperwork, you’ll need to request a court hearing. In this case, it’s a good idea to contact your Lake Forest divorce attorney for guidance.

The Legal Process of Modifying Court Orders

While it may seem daunting to change a court order, it’s not as difficult as many believe. The court’s intention, after all, is to protect your children. That being said, the court must be convinced that the change is both necessary and in the best interest of any children involved. Additionally, the individual requesting the change must present evidence to support their case to ensure smoother sailing later.

Related: Learn more about how unfit parenting is defined here.

Is It Worth It?

The question remains: is it worth changing a court order? In many cases, the answer is yes—especially when the current order no longer fits life’s reality. However, it’s important to weigh the potential costs when changing or reducing custody-related conflicts. Battles over modifications can take a toll on all parties involved, so hiring a seasoned Lake Forest family law attorney is necessary.

Allow Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates to Help You

If you’re facing a situation where modifying a court order is necessary, contact Family Law Richard E. Young & Associates at (949) 951-9529 for expert assistance. Court order modifications are often kept under the radar, but they are a crucial part of ensuring that legal arrangements stay relevant as life changes. Let us help you!

When You Need to Call on a Parental Rights Attorney

There are numerous scenarios for when you need to consider whether to hire a parental rights attorney. Whether you’re going through a divorce or challenging a party’s paternity claims, it’s for the best that you have a trusted professional you can consult with at every step of the proceedings.

With that in mind, we will run down a deeper explanation on why you should consider hiring a parental rights attorney, especially if you’re facing a legal dispute over these circumstances. With their help, you can look forward to a brighter future!

Why Are Parental Rights Important?

First things first, it’s important to define exactly what this means. Parental rights are described as a parent’s ability in a legal sense to make actions and decisions on behalf of their child or children. In other words, it’s the establishment of a legal parent, and can be applied in the cases of biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, and legal guardians.

There are other obligations and benefits a child has access to in association with parental rights including custody, visitation, child support orders, and more. Of course, any and all rights can vary and are dictated based on states and federal laws. This can lead to a complex web of litigation when two parents with a child or children go through a divorce, which leads us to our next topic.

When Do You Need a Parental Rights Attorney?

As we mentioned, the circumstances for when it would be in your best interests to hire a parental rights attorney typically comes down to legalities. This area of practice is used in cases such as the institution of the parents of a child, requesting the use of DNA testing to confirm parentage, challenging another person’s paternity, and other parental-related issues.

Any qualified parental rights attorney involved in the mediation process should be extra mindful to keep the children in mind at every stage. After all, any decision should come down to their health and well-being, and especially their future. That last point is an especially important reason for why it may be best to hire a third-party counsel to handle these matters.

Conclusion

With all the complicated decisions and confusing paperwork involved, it can be difficult to ensure your needs and the needs of the children are being met. Having a parental rights attorney in your corner who can help you through the legal process can give you the opportunity to have a clear head in a delicate situation.

Take the time to speak with a parental rights attorney – many of them offer a free initial consultation so you know what to expect and what your chances are. In the meantime, if you have any general thoughts or questions, please share them in the comments section below!