You heaved a sigh of relief when the dust settled and, at long last, your divorce was finalized. Not only were you finally awarded legal freedom from your former spouse, you were also able to secure a fair child support order requiring them to pay for your children’s ongoing needs.
All was right in your world, until it wasn’t.
Why You Might Need to Modify a Child Support Order
The court will do their best to award a fair amount of child support based on the income of each spouse, the living arrangement of the child or children, and the overall cost of their basic needs, including food, shelter, and education.
Over time, these needs could become more sophisticated. Perhaps one child has developed a medical condition that requires daily medication, adding a new expense. Maybe they will soon enroll in a new school, private school, or college, where the tuition is substantially more expensive.
All of these scenarios illustrate a need for increasing the child support so that the child’s needs continue being met.
There could be a change in your circumstances, as well, that indicates a need for increased child support. Perhaps you’ve lost your cushy jobs to layoffs and you’re now working a lower paying job to make ends meet.
This might qualify you to be awarded a greater child support payment, based on the court’s discretion.
How to Modify an Existing Child Support Order
As with anything pertaining to divorces and child support, nothing is official unless it is approved by the court. That means, just as you originally did during the divorce, it’s time to gather all the necessary documents and be ready to make an official request.
Here are some quick tips from Vonnah Bagner, a leading family law attorney in the East Bay area:
- Gather your documents. This could include financial statements, pay stubs, tax returns, and other pertinent documents that illustrate your current income.
- Consult an attorney. Family law experts, like Vonnah and her team at Bagner Law, PC, can review the documents and provide insight regarding your eligibility for a modification, so you know what to expect.
- File a motion. Nothing is in the works until you file an official motion with the court. Your attorney should definitely be able to help with this part.
- Be ready to explain yourself. If there’s a story beyond the statements and documents, be ready to share it with the judge and the court. It could be crucial in determining whether or not you are awarded an increase.
Next Steps
Reviewing a child support order isn’t as intensive as the original divorce proceedings, but don’t expect things to happen immediately. After filing, you’ll still have to await your hearing and go through legal proceedings to make everything official.
Don’t go it alone; hire a qualified family law attorney like Vonnah Bagner at Bagner Law, PC. Hiring a professional ensures you get the best results, meaning your children will get what they deserve!
Find out more now. Call today!
