Changing visiting arrangements in the event of divorce | Legal aid centre

Questioner

We have a 50% contact arrangement. Week in, week out. My daughter is registered with my ex and because she cannot bear any expenses, I pay parental contributions for the days that my daughter is there. My daughter has wanted to come and live here for a number of years now and her mother has promised that she could choose this when she is twelve. She is now 12 and would like to be here for 2 weeks and with her mother for 1 week. Given the situation, this will probably be expanded in the future. I therefore think it would be desirable if she were to be registered with me and I no longer pay parental contributions to my ex, but would take on all the costs (and benefits). Can

Lawyer

Your question has partly disappeared but I will try to advise you. I understand that a parenting plan has been drawn up? In that case, it is best to change this, in consultation and agreement with your ex. If your daughter is going to live with you more than with your ex, then the parental contribution must indeed be reassessed. All this can be done by your lawyer, or possibly in extreme cases, by the judge.

Questioner

Doesn't this have to be determined by the judge? We separated before the parenting plan was arranged, after which a covenant was drawn up and this was determined by the judge.

Lawyer

If a covenant has been drawn up, you can change it. For this change to have legal force, it is necessary that you and your ex both sign it. If you cannot reach an agreement, the judge can still give the covenant legal force. You must arrange all of this through the lawyer.