Requesting A Change in Child Support
Requesting A Change in Child Support
Child support is a major part of any divorce when it involves a family. Even though the parents might be separated, there is still a child or children to take care of. Sometimes it can be difficult to raise a child together, imagine what it is like having to go at it alone. Child support helps ensure that one parent doesn’t have to try and support their child or children all on their own. It legally requires that the other parent contributes to raising them as well. This comes in the form of required payments from one parent to the other to help them pay for necessities for the child. These payments are not designed to change, rather they stay consistent as time goes on. What happens, however, when our current situation changes? We can never truly know, only guess where the future will go, and sometimes our path takes a sharp turn.
When our living situation changes drastically, it might be required that the child support is altered to fit the changes. The things that can require a change in how child support is given include:
- Significant Increase or Decrease In Income
- Disability Or Illness of A Parent
- Change In Child’s Medical Needs
- Change In Child Custody
- A Parent is Incarcerated
It should be noted that either parent getting married after a divorce does not constitute a reason for a change in child support. Even if the parent’s new spouse significantly increases their joined income, the child support is only based on the two parents and their individual income.
In order to request a change in child support payments, you must have evidence that your current situation has changed enough to warrant a change in the child support order. If you have evidence of this, the first order of business is to:
- Go to the court that issued the child support order
- Fill out the proper paperwork to request modification
- Take it to the county clerk
- Get a Summons and serve it* to the other parent
- Once Proof of Service is returned, take all paperwork to the county clerk
- Schedule a Court Date
- Fill out a financial statement and send a copy along with a blank form to the other parent.
- Go to court at the scheduled date and time.
*(Can be given to a deputy sheriff to do this)
It is good to have a Daytona Beach Family Attorney that can help make sure the desired changes are accepted and a new child support order issued. Attorney Lauren Koleilat has years of experience handling family law cases both inside and outside of the courtroom. Get dedication and experience behind your case and contact us today at (386) 253-4720.