It doesn’t have to. American courts run on precedents that have already been set, so in many ways judges are predisposed to prefer existing agreements.
If the custody agreement that you negotiated earlier is providing for the care of your child and meets the needs of both parents, there’s no reason to modify it.
However, if the terms are not acceptable to one party, it is possible to re-open that topic for negotiation.
The judge will likely want to see evidence of a change in circumstance that makes such a change necessary, so it will help if you have experienced a job change, a move, or other significant circumstances that make sense for a re-negotiation.
Whether your existing terms are working or you need help establishing a new custody agreement, the attorneys at Zelenitz, Shapiro & D’Agostino can help you.
Call us today at 718-523-1111 for a free consultation.