Custody Agreement Feels One-Sided

SeanNew Dad

3w ago1 min read

Got the custody papers back and I'm getting the kids 40% of the time but it's structured in a way that makes it really hard. I get them Thursday night to Friday after school, then every other weekend. So basically if she has plans on a weekend I don't have them, or I do, I'm the one picking up the slack. Her lawyer was way more aggressive than mine and I think I got railroaded. It's been six months and I'm already looking at modifying it. Has anyone had success going back to court to change things? What should I expect?

8 comments177 views

Comments(8)

VVincentRegular3w ago

I've been there. Document everything and get a lawyer to look at it if you haven't already. A one-sided agreement is going to make co-parenting impossible long term.

RRyan M.Regular3w ago

Get specifics about what feels one-sided. Is it the timing? The holidays? School breaks? Once you know exactly what the problem is you can build a case for modification. Court might be more flexible than you think.

MMike R.New Dad3w ago

I feel this one. The schedule matters as much as the percentage, honestly. Thursday to Sunday would hit different than Thursday to Friday. Document everything and see if you can get back in front of the judge with specifics about why it's not working.

RRob H.Regular3w ago

40% is tough when the schedule doesn't work with your job. Have you thought about asking for a modification once you've got a few months of data showing how hard Thursday nights hit your work? Courts usually care about what actually works.

AAdam R.Regular3w ago

40% is rough when it's structured awkwardly. The exact dates and times matter way more than people think. Is it every other weekend or something more spread out?

DDanielExperienced3w ago

The structure is the part nobody talks about but it's crucial. I had to fight for consistent weekday time because kids need routine, not just weekend visibility.

PPaulRegular3w ago

40% is actually decent compared to what a lot of guys get but I feel you on the structure issue. Is it like they get all the summer weekends or something weird like that? The details matter. Might be worth talking to a lawyer about whether it's actually enforceable or if there's room to adjust.

RRyan M.Regular3w ago

Don't just accept it if something feels wrong. I took my custody agreement back to my lawyer twice before we got it right. You're paying attention to how the time actually breaks down, which is smart. Details are everything in these agreements.