When the court finalizes your divorce, you will have a decree. This outlines all the agreements you made during the divorce process.
Some of the decisions you made or things you agreed to are open to change in the future. The most common modifications you can request involve child custody and support and spousal support.
Reasons for modification
Typically, you will request a modification to your decree if circumstances change. For example, if you have a parenting plan in place, but you or the other parent wants to move out of state, then you will need to revise the plan. Child or spousal support may require a change if income situations are different. You may also wish to get a modification if there are other life changes that would impact any decision made at the time of divorce. It is not unusual to request modifications as people and life change over time. The court does not expect everything to be written in stone.
Process to modify
You will need to work with the court or with a state agency to modify any order made in your divorce decree. You and your former spouse can come to an agreement outside of court, but you will need the final approval of the court because only a judge can alter a court order. Even if you go through a state agency, the agency will have to get the judge to sign off on the changes. Keep that in mind because it is very important. You cannot make modifications on your own. You could end up in trouble with the court if you do.