Is your child support or custody plan no longer feasible?

By |2022-04-01T13:28:50+00:0014 Nov 2018|Categories: Child Custody|

IS YOUR CHILD SUPPORT OR CUSTODY PLAN NO LONGER FEASIBLE?

When you divorce and a court issues an order regarding child custody and support, you and your ex are legally obligated to adhere to its terms. If you are paying child support, you are responsible for making every payment on time as well as adhering to the rest of the terms the court issued in your co-parenting plan. Does this mean, however, that everything is set in stone and you can never change the way you do things?

The answer depends on the specific circumstances of your situation. The court may grant a modification of your existing support order, but only if certain criteria are met. First, you must make the proper type of request in court. The judge overseeing your case will review your request and decided whether to approve a modification. Unless that happens, you must adhere to the terms of the existing order.

Valid reasons for a modification

Maybe your financial situation has changed and you want to take a break from making full child support payments every month. This may or may not be possible, depending on the facts and whether the court thinks your circumstances warrant a change. The following are common reasons for modifying child support:

  • The paying parent loses his or her job.
  • The paying parent still has a job but experiences a significant decrease in income.
  • The non-paying parent has an increase in income.
  • You or the other parent is relocating.
  • You’ve had a medical emergency resulting in a financial crisis.

Adapting to a new lifestyle after divorce is typically a lot easier if things are going well regarding child support and custody issues. Problems may arise that you and your co-parent can resolve through amicable discussion. If you’re both willing to compromise and cooperate for the sake of your kids, you can likely overcome most minor issues. If, however, a more serious issue is harming your relationship with your children or is somehow undermining your parental rights, you can seek the court’s intervention to help get things back on track.

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California
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