(801) 254-9450 Circumstances in life can change in a moment. This is true for everyone, including you, your children, and your co-parent. One moment, the status quo is working. Next, the existing child support order is no longer reasonable. The good news is that it may be possible to alter the terms of the order with the help of a dedicated child support attorney. These obligations should take into account the changing circumstances in your life and adjust accordingly.
At Carr | Woodall, our hardworking and reliable legal team looks forward to the chance to help set you and your children up for success.
The courts in Utah have the power to alter the terms of a support order, but a judge will only do so under certain circumstances. First and foremost, the current order will remain in effect unless one of the parties files a motion to amend it. Either parent—the payer or the receiver—has the right to pursue this type of legal action.
The interests of the children involved are the most critical factor in these decisions. If the juvenile has changing needs, the court has an obligation to revisit the current support situation.
A judge has extensive leeway when it comes to modifying these terms. They can reduce or increase the amount owed each month, depending on the circumstances. These changes can be temporary or permanent, but ultimately, the judge must act in the child’s best interests.
It may not be immediately apparent when the grounds for changing these orders exist. Relying on an experienced family law attorney is often the best way to pursue a child support modification.
For the judge to modify child support, there must be evidence of a material change in circumstances for either the child or one of the parents. A South Jordan lawyer could argue for a modification in each scenario below.
Arguably, the most common reason for one parent to seek to modify the support amount is a change in income. This might happen when the paying partner receives a windfall or a raise at work, but it might also involve the loss of a job.
If any of the parties become disabled, the support obligation may need to be changed. This includes the paying parent, who might no longer be able to work, or the child, who will now have additional needs.
If either parent has additional children, this can alter the calculation of the support order. The courts have to consider each of these children in addition to the parent’s ability to cover their expenses.
If you believe your existing child support obligation is unreasonable or your co-parent has filed a motion to change it, now is the right time to seek legal counsel. You deserve to be treated fairly and have your voice heard on the matter.
Reach out right away to let our South Jordan child support modification lawyers advocate on your behalf. The dedicated team of family law attorneys at Carr | Woodall is here to help.