What effect does an allegation of child abuse or neglect have on the determination or modification of the choice of who is to be the primary residential parent?
Serious mistreatment or violence against a child will constitute a change of circumstance sufficient for a parenting plan modification. A court will distinguish abuse from a strict approach to discipline and will require evidence corroborating an allegation. Also, a guardian ad litem, attorney ad litem, or other trained professional will likely be assigned to investigate the charges and report to the court.
