A time-sharing order entered by the Broward County court can be modified if the requesting parent demonstrates a substantial and unanticipated change in circumstances since the original order was entered. The change must be genuine and ongoing rather than temporary. Courts apply this standard carefully to prevent repeated modification requests that would make the child's life unstable. Changes that have qualified as substantial in Florida cases include a parent's relocation, a significant change in the child's school or medical needs, documented evidence that the current arrangement is harmful to the child, and major changes in a parent's availability or fitness.
The modification process follows the same structure as the original custody proceeding: the requesting parent files a petition, both parties exchange relevant documentation, and if the matter is not resolved through mediation, the court holds a hearing. Brodzki Jacobs helps Fort Lauderdale families evaluate whether the change in their circumstances actually meets the legal threshold before filing, which saves time and avoids a proceeding the court is likely to deny at the outset.
