Can I Modify Child Custody in Atlanta to Spend Less Time With My Kids?

Parenting can be more time-consuming, stressful, and expensive than many realize. If you are feeling overwhelmed by this responsibility after a divorce or separation, you might want to reduce your parenting time. Perhaps you believe that this is in the best interests of the entire family. But is this really possible? Can you modify child custody in Atlanta to spend less time with the kids?

Most Parents Modify Custody to Increase Parenting Time, Not Decrease It 

First, you should know that most parents do not file petitions to reduce their parenting time. Instead, the usual course of action is to modify custody to spend more time with your kids. That said, it could be possible to make this change in certain situations.

First, you should know that courts will only modify custody agreements after significant “changes in circumstance.” These are major life changes that drastically change family life, to the point where modifying custody is in the child’s best interests. Examples include major career changes, new disabilities, instances of domestic violence, substance abuse issues, criminal convictions, retirement, and so on.

Speaking of a child’s best interests, you should know that you cannot modify custody on a whim. If you attempt to make this change because you do not want to experience such extensive parenting duties, you need to convince the court that this change is in the best interests of your child. If you instead focus on your own best interests when making your arguments, the court will probably refuse to modify the custody agreement.

When Can I Reduce My Parenting Time After a Divorce?

You might need to reduce your parenting time if you are diagnosed with a new, permanent medical issue or disability. This medical issue must prevent you from carrying out normal, everyday parenting duties. For example, you may be confined to a hospital bed – making it impossible to pick up your kids from school and so on. In this situation, you could modify your custody agreement and spend less time with your children. Similar cases might involve severe financial destitution.

Speak With Your Ex First

Before you begin the process of modifying your child custody in Atlanta, consider speaking with your ex about your plans. Both parents may be able to come to a private agreement about a new parenting schedule. If your ex agrees to accept more parenting duties, there may be no need to go to court – and you may be able to negotiate the modification privately through mediation.

Can an Atlanta Family Law Attorney Help Me Modify Child Custody?

It may be possible to modify child custody to spend less time with your kids. However, online research cannot provide personalized guidance in the same way as an Atlanta family law attorney. The truth is that each family is different, and it is impossible to determine whether a modification is possible without considering your unique circumstances. You can discuss your situation in more detail with Buckhead Family Law.

Source: 

georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/child-custody/