Adjusting Your Payments to Reflect Changed Circumstances
If your income has fallen due to job loss or any other factor, you may no longer be able to afford your child support payments. But until you get a formal child support modification, you can be held legally responsible for making those payments.
I'm attorney Donn Prokopius. Based in Las Vegas, I help clients throughout Southern Nevada pursue post-decree modification of child support obligations. All of my clients get the benefits of personal attention from a lawyer who has been practicing family law since 1997.
What Does It Take to Get a Child Support Modification?
Because child support is calculated based on factors such as one or both parents' incomes and their child custody arrangements, it can be modified when those factors have changed enough to justify adjusting one parent's payment obligations.
Normally, in order to obtain a modification, you need to show that circumstances have changed enough to increase or decrease child support by at least 20 percent.
However, if it has been more than three years since the last child support order was issued, you can request a modification without needing to show a 20 percent difference. It may also be possible to obtain a child support modification if child custody has been modified.
What Happens if You've Lost Your Job?
One major reason for child support modification is unemployment. If you have become unemployed, it may be possible to get your child support payments significantly reduced, but the courts will probably continue to supervise the situation until you secure a new job.
I am experienced at guiding clients through all types of child support modification circumstances. To discuss any questions or concerns you may have, I encourage you to contact my office and schedule a consultation.
