Modification involves requests to adjust existing orders or agreements based on changed circumstances affecting parenting arrangements or financial obligations. These matters focus on defining what has changed, how those changes affect existing obligations, and how adjustments can be structured in a workable and supportable way.
How Mediation Helps In This Context
In this setting, sessions often allow a detailed consideration of agreed or claimed changes in circumstances and an evaluation of how those changes affect existing parenting arrangements or financial obligations. This often allows participants to identify where adjustments should be made with the available information and where additional information or follow-up may be needed before changes can be finalized. In practice, the ability to reach agreement often depends on how clearly the claimed change in circumstances can be identified and supported by available information.
Common Issues
- Changed circumstances and supporting factual basis for modification
- Parenting schedule or support adjustments
- Interim arrangements while information is gathered
Some Considerations For Counsel Preparing For Mediation
- Identify the changes in circumstances relevant to the requested modification
- Identify the information needed to establish and evaluate proposed adjustments
- Consider whether interim arrangements or staged approaches would be helpful
- Identify who needs to participate and what information or approvals may be required