Child Custody Modification

This lesson explores the standards for modifying child custody orders and the policies underlying same. It is an introductory lesson and assumes an understanding of the issues involved in making an initial custody decree. This lesson should be worked, for review and reinforcement, after the topic has been covered in class. The lesson may also serve as a substitute for covering this topic in class, as long as the student has covered the more general topic of initial custody decision making. The lesson does not cover interstate jurisdiction or relocation (moving the child out of the jurisdiction). Those topics are covered in other lessons. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the standards for modifying child custody orders and the policies underlying the same.
2. Describe the three ways in which the initial order of custody can be reached.
3. Explain the general standard of proof in custody modification cases.