Following the divorce or breakup of a couple who have children together, child custody orders will usually be put in place. In these cases, parents are often able to reach agreements on how they will share legal and physical custody of their children. By making the commitment to work together as co-parents to raise their children, they can maintain positive parent/child relationships and make sure they are putting their children’s best interests first. Unfortunately, situations may arise in which a parent refuses to follow the terms of a child custody agreement or interferes with the other parent’s parental rights. In these cases, a parent will need to understand their options for enforcing the court’s orders and ensuring that they will be able to maintain relationships with their children.

Addressing Child Custody Violations

Even if parents are able to reach agreements about how they will share child custody, a parent may be unhappy with the decisions that were made, and they may refuse to follow certain terms of an agreement. Violations can also occur because a parent does not prioritize their relationship with their children or otherwise acts irresponsibly. Unfortunately, this can lead to inconsistency for children, which can cause them emotional harm, especially if they are unable to follow regular routines or cannot spend time quality time with a parent when they expect to do so.

There are many ways that a parent may interfere with the other parent’s time with their children or commit violations of a child custody agreement, including:

When a child’s parents decide to end their relationship, child support will usually be necessary to ensure that the child will have the necessary financial resources to meet their needs. While child support is typically ordered during a couple’s divorce, it may also be appropriate in cases where parents were never married. The amount that a parent will be required to pay will be based on the income they earn and the number of children they are supporting. However, after a child support order is created, a parent may experience financial difficulties that affect their ability to make payments as required. In these cases, parents will want to understand when child support obligations may be modified.

Valid Reasons for Modifying Child Support

Courts in New York may allow for modifications of child support in the following circumstances:

• Changes in circumstances - If either parent or a child being supported experiences a “substantial change in circumstances,” a parent may request a modification of a child support order. These may include changes in child custody arrangements, such as the amount of time a child lives in each parent’s home, which may necessitate an adjustment in the amount of support paid. Changes in parents’ or children’s needs may also be a reason for a modification, such as a parent experiencing health issues that require them to pay additional medical expenses, leaving less money left over to pay child support.

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