You worked hard during your divorce. You established a sustainable financial situation for the foreseeable future. Then, the unforeseeable happened.
This type of situation is more common than you might think. Take a few minutes to read this article and learn a bit more about modifying the amount you have to pay.
Modification is a process
Modifying your child support amount is likely to be a complex process. It might take some time before everything concludes. In fact, even the first response could take up to 30 days. Most parents wait at least six months before getting a new order.
During this time, the total in your original order still represents the official amount that you owe. The judge must sign a new order, and the court must update your case before you start to pay less support.
Modification has strict requirements
There is no single situation that qualifies you for modifying your child support. However, there are specific categories of events that make it more likely that a judge would decide to change the amount you have to pay:
- Employment status changes
- Modifications in medical insurance coverage
- Another major change in your circumstances that impacts your ability to pay
You might experience multiple simultaneous life changes. A common example would be losing your job and access to your employer’s health insurance plan at the same time.
To reiterate, there is no specific event that automatically triggers your eligibility for a new child support amount. Instead, you would have to follow the formal modification process, present the evidence of your change in circumstances and navigate any complications that might arise.
