After a Springfield couple has ended the marriage through divorce, the former partners may be prepared to begin their separate lives. They may feel as though the agreements and decisions that they made during the divorce will allow them to live independently of each other and pursue their unique interests without ever having to consult with the other again. While this can be the case for couples who divorce without sharing kids, divorced parties with children may find it hard to fully sever their lives from those of their ex-partners.
Divorced parents may find that, particularly in the summer when their children are out of school, they must coordinate their lives with those of their former spouses. As they plan family vacations, make holiday arrangements and enroll kids in camps and clubs, they may have to change the custody and visitation schedules that they agreed to when their divorces were finalized.
The need to make modifications to existing child custody and visitation orders and agreements can necessitate a party to file his or her requests with the family law court that managed the divorce proceedings. Necessary changes may be subject to judicial approval and parents may need to prepare themselves for not having a custody or visitation schedule changed to accommodate their needs.
As Massachusetts families work through the Fourth of July holiday and make plans for the rest of their summers, they may wish to consider consulting with legal professionals who can advise them on whether they need to seek modifications to their family law orders and agreements before carrying forward with their intended activities. Claudette-Jean Girard, attorney at law, consults with individuals who need just this type of assistance. Her Springfield-based family law practice has experience helping not only clients who wish to pursue divorces but also those who wish to make changes to the orders and agreements that were established when their marriages ended.