Henry County Child Support Modification Attorney
Child Support modification can occur when either parent or their child has a significant change in their life’s circumstances. This can include changes in earnings, health, or a change in custody. A child’s preferences become important in Custody cases when the child turns twelve. Sometimes both parents can reach an agreement about a change in the child support order, If approved by a judge, Such agreement has the same force and effect as a court order.
Reasonable change in circumstances
The courts ask parents to show a reasonable change in circumstances in order to qualify for child support modifications, meaning that they have to show that something in their lives have changed that affects the way child support is determined. There are many things that apply, for instance:
- Either of the parents has experienced a change in income, due to reduced work hours or a job change
- A parent has lost their job
- A parent has been incarcerated
- A parent had another child from a new relationship
- There has been a change in the child’s needs and costs, including costs for health care, child care, or education
- There has been changes in how much time the child spends with each parent
- A parent is deployed to active military service
When can I get a child support modification?
You can request a child support modification at any time after divorce. However, it is recommended that you request a modification as soon as possible after the change in circumstances. Sometimes, a parent will wait to file for child support modification, because they think the change in circumstances is temporary, they are stressed about other things in their life, or they are in a situation that makes filing court papers difficult, such as jail or prison. They may think they will deal with changing child support orders later when it is more convenient, but this can be a big mistake.