Legal Definitions - Modification

A modification refers to an alteration, adjustment, or change made to an existing agreement, order, law, or structure. It means that something previously established is being revised or updated, rather than being completely replaced or terminated.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of modification:

• Child Custody Order: Imagine a court issues an initial child custody order outlining where children will live and when each parent will have visitation. Several years later, one parent receives a job offer in a different state. To accommodate this significant change, the parents might petition the court to modify the existing custody order. This could involve adjusting the visitation schedule, changing the primary residence of the children, or altering financial support arrangements. The original order isn't thrown out entirely, but its specific terms are changed to reflect the new circumstances.

• Loan Agreement: Consider a small business that has a loan agreement with a bank, specifying a fixed monthly payment schedule over five years. Due to an unexpected economic downturn, the business experiences temporary financial hardship and struggles to make the agreed-upon payments. Instead of defaulting on the loan, the business and the bank might agree to modify the loan agreement. This modification could involve extending the repayment period, temporarily reducing the monthly payment amount, or adjusting the interest rate, allowing the business to continue making payments under revised terms.

• Building Permit: A property developer obtains a building permit from the local municipality to construct a new apartment complex according to a specific architectural plan. During the initial phase of construction, the developer discovers that a minor design change, such as relocating a stairwell for better safety or efficiency, would be beneficial. Rather than abandoning the project or applying for an entirely new permit, the developer would typically apply to the municipality to modify the existing building permit to incorporate the revised design. The core approval for the building remains, but specific details within the permit are adjusted.