Change happens in life and certainly in family law matters during litigation and after the litigation has ended. After the entry of a final order on a case involving parenting time, child custody, or child support, the agreed upon terms, or the terms ordered by the judge, can be modified if certain circumstances are present. If one parent’s financial circumstances, or the financial needs of the child(ren), change significantly, then a child support modification may be warranted.
However, there are rules about how often a child support modification be filed. If the parenting time schedule is not being followed, or is no longer in the child(ren)’s best interests, then a parenting time modification may be needed. If the custody arrangement, including which parent has primary custody and which parent has final decision-making authority, is no longer feasible, or in the child(ren)’s best interest, then a custody modification may be justified.
A modification action takes the same course through the court system as a divorce. This means that the same jurisdiction requirements, filing requirements, and discovery process applies. If you would like to pursue a modification of child support, parenting time, or child custody, or are the respondent in a modification action, I can explain your options, advise you through process, and help you to achieve your goals.