Florida courts do not modify parenting plans lightly. The party seeking modification must demonstrate a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances since the original order was entered, and must show that the modification serves the child's best interests. What qualifies as a substantial change is evaluated case by case — a parent's new job with significantly different hours, a child's change in school, or demonstrated changes in a parent's living situation may each be relevant depending on the original plan and the current circumstances.
Child custody modification proceedings in Broward County follow the same procedural path as initial custody cases, including mandatory mediation before a contested matter proceeds to hearing. A child custody lawyer in Plantation who has handled modifications understands how to frame the changed circumstances in a way that satisfies the legal standard and supports the requested change. Brodzki Jacobs represents parents in both seeking and opposing modification actions.
