When it comes to child custody, it is not uncommon for one parent to be happy with the end result and the other to be disappointed. There may come a time when you want to modify a child custody agreement. Of course, there is more to doing so than deciding that this is in your best interest. The court needs to do what is best for the child, and nothing will ever change that.
In some cases, if both you and the other parent are on the same page, you may be able to work out a change to the agreement via child custody mediation. This allows you to avoid time in court, which will save both parties a lot of money.
With a mediator in place, there is somebody who can meet with you and your former spouse to discuss the current situation. This person is not there to make a final decision. Instead, his or her job is to mediate the discussion to ensure that both parties are happy with the end result.
In some counties, mediation is required before going to court. Even if this doesn’t sound like something you want to try, once you are involved, you may soon realize it is better than the alternative.
Child custody mediation is an option if you are hoping to have an agreement altered. There is no guarantee that this process will work, but it is worth trying. The easiest way to change a child custody agreement is to create a new agreement with your former partner. With the help of a mediator, this is possible.
Source: Southern Illinois University, “Modification of Custody,” accessed Sep. 10, 2015
