Arlington - Fort Worth - Denton Child Custody Attorney

Although the Court considers the matter closed upon rendering a final decision in a divorce case or a suit affecting the parent child relationship, the Judge’s orders are not set in stone.

Changes in the circumstances surrounding the child, or a change in the income of a former spouse, can cause an existing final decree of divorce to no longer be appropriate for your current needs or that of your child.  If this is the case, you may have the option of petitioning the Court for a modification to the final orders.

The Court can modify the original orders, which were set-out in the decree, to provide for a decrease or increase in child support, to change visitation schedules, to change conservatorship from joint to sole, and to account for the changing needs of a child.

In order for the Court to make these changes you have to re-open the case by filing a Motion to Modify the existing orders with the Court.  Upon the filing of this motion, the Court will make the determination whether the original orders need to be altered.  Without going through this process, the original orders remain in full effect and must be followed by each party.  Do not make the mistake of relying on your ex-spouse to abide by an agreement that was made after your divorce was final.  All changes must be approved by the Court beforehand in order to be enforceable and to ensure you are not in violation of the orders of the Court.  

Enforcement of Texas Court Orders

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