Once child support is established through the court, the judgment amount isn't necessarily permanent. If circumstances have changed, you can request a child support modification whether you are paying or receiving the support. If your circumstances have changed or found out the other parent's circumstances have changed, here is how you can file for child support modification.
Find Out Eligibility Requirements
The first thing you need to do is find out if you're eligible for a change in child support. You can request a child support modification if there is a change in financial circumstances, the child has become disabled, or the child is attending or quit attending college. For example, if you lost your job or found out that the other parent is making more money, this would be a reason to modify child support.
Fill Out Paperwork
To request a modification, you don't have to go through a lawyer's office. All you need to do is go down to the courthouse and fill out the modification paperwork with the family services division. The courthouse's lawyer of the day or the clerk can help you with the paperwork if you have any questions. There is a small filing fee, and the amount depends on the state that you are filing in.
Consider Temporary or Permanent
Child support modifications can be both temporary and permanent. For example, if you're paying child support and you have found yourself in an emergency, you might not be able to afford child support for a few months. If your spouse is in the hospital and you need to take time off of work, you might not even receive a paycheck for your support to come out of. If an emergency arises, you can request a temporary child support modification until your circumstances go back to normal. If your circumstances are changed permanently for the foreseeable future, you can request a permanent change.
Find a Lawyer
If the other parent decides to fight the child support modification, you should have a lawyer help. Fighting in court is too difficult for you to do on your own. These types of cases generally don't take much time, so you might only have to pay for a little paperwork and an hour or so in court. It's worth the cost if you need to change your child support order to pay less or receive more.
Child support is important because everyone should take care of their children. However, child support also needs to be fair. If you don't think the amount you are paying or receiving is fair, make sure you fill out a child support modification and speak to a lawyer. For more information, contact Fleishman Law Office SC or a similar firm.
