When parents divorce or separate, they must decide on custody and child support arrangements that work best for their family. However, family circumstances often change after a divorce or separation agreement is finalized. Different events may merit a modification to your initial child support arrangement.
As a custodial parent, you may want your child to receive increased child support payments. If you are a noncustodial parent, you may wish to reduce your payments. Regardless of whether you are seeking an increase or decrease, a skilled Upper Marlboro child support modification lawyer can help you through this process. Contact our child support attorneys to discuss your options.
How To Increase Child Support Payments
To modify an existing court order or child support agreement to receive additional payments from a co-parent, a custodial parent must often provide documentation or evidence that demonstrates a material change in family circumstances. The following scenarios could justify increasing child support payments to the custodial parent:
- An increase in the child’s needs, such as special education costs or learning disabilities;
- An increase in living costs, such as educational and recreational expenses, along with higher food requirements as the child grows;
- The development of medical conditions requiring additional care or treatment;
- An increase in a noncustodial parent’s income due to a higher-paying job or raise;
- A decrease in a custodial parent’s income due to job loss or a pay cut;
- Changes in custody and visitation arrangements due to a noncustodial parent’s relocation that cause a child to spend more time with the custodial parent.
As a noncustodial parent, you may wish to reduce your payments due to changes in income or financial hardship. A dedicated attorney in Upper Marlboro can help you pursue court modifications to your existing arrangements.
How To Decrease Child Support Obligations
In some situations, noncustodial parents may seek a decrease in child support obligations. To obtain a court modification to reduce their payment obligations, the noncustodial parent needs to prove a significant change in their circumstances.
For instance, noncustodial parents can provide evidence that the custodial parent has experienced an increase in their ability to support the child. This could result from the custodial parent obtaining a significantly higher-paying job, getting a substantial raise, or inheriting a large amount of money.
The party seeking a reduction in support obligations can also demonstrate a significant loss of income. However, a reduction would not be appropriate if the noncustodial parent’s income decreased because of their voluntary actions, such as quitting their job, committing an act that results in their employment termination, or switching to a lower-paying job.
If you are a noncustodial parent seeking to reduce child support obligations, a seasoned lawyer practicing in Upper Marlboro and Largo can help you gather the necessary evidence to modify your existing court order.
Contact an Upper Marlboro Child Support Modification Attorney
A child’s needs and requirements change as they grow, as do family members’ financial situations. If you believe your current child support order no longer reflects your family’s situation, an experienced lawyer can offer assistance. Contact a knowledgeable Upper Marlboro child support modification lawyer at Carmiece Graves Law today to learn how they can help you.