Life Changes & Child Support Modification
Child support is meant to ensure that a child receives financial support from both parents. When one parent's life circumstances changes, a parent may return to court for a modification of child support.
After divorce, your circumstances can change quite a bit. If this is the case for you, you may want to know if you can modify your child support payments or the payments of your ex-spouse. These are some of the reasons why you might consider a modification of child support.
The Paying Parent Lost Their Job
If you have lost your job and you pay child support, the reduction in your income is sure to decrease your ability to pay support. You may need to bring this information to court as well as proof that your hours were cut, you lost your job, or you were demoted.
One Parent Has Increased Income
Increased income can also spell change for either parent. In some cases, one parent gets a promotion and is asked to increase their child support payments. The other parent may bring your increased income up in court.
In other cases, the parent who receives the payment is promoted, which means that the paying parent may determine that they should be able to pay less for the child to receive the same level of financial support.
Your Child Graduates or Turns 18
Keep in mind that your child turning 18 or graduating from high school can reduce your child support or end your responsibility completely. Keep in mind that this is not always the case, especially if your court order says that you need to pay for your child's college expenses. Either way, the expenses can change.
Your Child's Needs Have Changed
It is important that you understand the needs of your child and how they relate to your finances. Your child may have special needs because of their age or due to a developmental or health issue.
If you discover that your child's financial needs have grown, you may wonder if your obligation could change. It may very well change, increasing or decreasing based on your child's hospital bills, educational bills, and other financial concerns.
Hire an Attorney
A divorce or family attorney can help you determine how to modify your child support payments. A divorce attorney will help you determine that you need to do next to modify your child support payments and help you maintain control over your finances.