While a timesharing schedule is meant to provide stability for your children, it should not be treated as static. If your current arrangement no longer serves your child’s needs, Kentucky law provides a pathway to change it. Understanding these requirements ensures that any updates to your parenting time arrangement truly supports your child’s overall well-being.
Prioritizing the child’s best interests
In Kentucky, the court will not grant a modification simply because it is more convenient for one parent. You must demonstrate that the intended change serves your child’s emotional, physical and developmental needs.
Additionally, state law assumes that joint custody and equal timesharing are best for the child. If you want a different schedule than 50/50, the judge will start by assuming equal time is best unless you have evidence to show otherwise.
The court will consider whether the circumstances since the prior order justify revisiting the existing arrangement. Moreover, a judge will take into account if the proposed modification will truly better serve the child’s welfare, stability and overall needs.
The modification process
If both you and the other parent agree to the change, you can draft an agreement or agreed order and submit it to the judge for approval. This is often the fastest and least expensive route when modifying a timesharing schedule.
However, if you cannot reach an agreement, Kentucky courts require you to attend a mediation to attempt to compromise on a new calendar. If mediation fails, you must file a “Motion to Modify Timesharing” with the family court that issued your original order.
During the hearing, a judge will review the evidence both parents present before making a final decision. You may include school records, testimonials and a report from a Friend of the Court (FOC) to support your proposed schedule change.
Prioritizing your child’s future
Successfully modifying a timesharing order can feel overwhelming, but it is often a positive step toward creating a more stable and supportive routine for your child. A lawyer can help you come up with a schedule that gives your family a stronger path forward.