713-333-4430Updating Visitation After COVID
There is a finally a light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more people are getting vaccinated every day around the United States, which means that herd immunity is building and cases are going down. Life in Texas is returning back to normal, with mask mandates being lifted and no more lockdowns on the horizon. Now, parents are looking into updating visitation after COVID, and they can do so with the help of family law lawyers Boudreaux Hunter & Associates, LLC in Houston, Texas.
Boudreaux Hunter & Associates, LLC take a collaborative approach to ensure our clients reach solutions that work for their entire families, and are devoted solely to the practice of family law. We are fierce advocates for our clients and we’d be happy to help you with your visitation concerns and needs. Reach out to us today for an initial consultation.
Why Parents Are Updating Visitation
Parents are looking into updating visitation and changing custody orders now because things are going back to the way they used to be before the pandemic.
Schools are opening, so parents are going to go back to work and not staying home all day with their kids anymore. Kids are having play dates, sports games, and other activities to go to after school and on the weekends. It might not be easy for parents to schedule visitation any longer. Or, on the flip side, they might want to change the custody agreement so that the other parent takes on more responsibility since they are busy again. In addition, many people moved during COVID or are planning to move, and a parent could be farther away from or closer to a child’s school.
Now that doctors know how to treat COVID patients and prevent the disease from spreading, high-risk parents may feel more comfortable visiting with their children once again. Also, if a parent is a front-line worker, they may have ceased visitation in the darkest moments of the pandemic. Now that it feels safer, they might want to update visitation to ensure they can spend time with their child.
Whatever the reason, now is a good time to update your child custody agreement. Perhaps you want to change things now that the pandemic is ending, or you’ve always wanted to make modifications and now is your chance. With the help of a family law lawyer, you can make the child custody modifications you need.
Changing Your Child Custody Agreement in Texas
You may want to update your child custody agreement now that COVID is ending, or you might want to take the time to reevaluate because you were never happy with it in the first place. No matter what the reason, the first thing to do is get in touch with a family law lawyer who can assist you with the process. They will help you request to make changes to visitation and any other aspect of your agreement.
When you go to court, the judge is going to look at what’s in the best interests of the child. For example, if you moved to a rural, remote area during COVID and now your child is 45 minutes away from school and doesn’t live near any family members or friends, then it might not be in their best interest to live with you if your ex is closer to everything and everyone.
If you and your ex are not in agreement about a change, you’ll need proof to show that you deserve more visitation time. Perhaps you were struggling to find a job pre-COVID, but during the pandemic local businesses were hiring and you started bringing in more income. You were able to rent a nicer apartment in a safer neighborhood, and you believe that your child would feel right at home in your new place. It’s important to do whatever you can to demonstrate that you’re a responsible and loving parent and your child would benefit from spending more time with you.
If you have evidence that your ex violated a custody agreement or they were not a good parent towards your child, that could help your case. For example, you may have threatening text messages from your ex that you could show to the judge, or concerned family members who say your ex yelled incessantly at your child. Any proof you have will bolster your case.
What About Child Support?
Let’s say you need to update child support after COVID, too. Maybe you lost your job and you cannot afford child support anymore, or you’re on the receiving end of child support and you need more financial support from your ex. You can ask your family lawyer to help you modify the child support agreement too.
If you pay child support, do not stop paying in the meantime. If you lost your job and you cannot afford it, pay as much as you can to help out your ex and child and to show the judge you were doing the responsible thing and sending as much money as you could. Never stop paying child support altogether, or else it could harm your case.
Contact Boudreaux Hunter & Associates, LLC
This past year has been challenging for everyone. It’s been especially tough on kids. But with the pandemic ending, things are getting back to normal, and now might be the ideal time to update your visitation. Get in touch with Boudreaux Hunter & Associates, LLC, family law lawyers, for help. We’ll work hard on your case and be your source of support in your time of need. Make sure you get in touch online or by calling us at (713) 333-4430. We’re standing by and ready to help with all your family law needs.
Shannon L. Boudreaux is a passionate advocate for her clients, working on their behalf to help them reshape their lives, their families, and their futures. For two decades, she has helped reunite parents with their children and helped clients negotiate contentious custody disputes. Learn more here.
