Northwest Houston Lawyer Helping Parents Increase or Reduce Child Support
Your initial child support order was based on a snapshot of your income and financial responsibilities at the time it was issued. Over the course of time, circumstances do change, however, and your child support order can be changed to reflect that change.
If you believe the amount of child support being paid needs to be changed, you can petition to modify the existing court order. At the Law Offices of Holli M. Palmer, we provide clients with effective guidance in child support modification cases.
Houston family law attorney Holli M. Palmer is sensitive to the needs of our divorced or unmarried parents, walking them through the legal process and advising them of their rights at every stage of the case regardless of whether they are seeking a child support modification or opposing the change. We also offer child support enforcement services and help parents resolve child support arrearages.
A petition for a child support modification can be handled in family or district court. Contact us today for an initial consultation to discuss how to increase or reduce your child support.
Situations Where a Child Support Modification May Be Granted
Generally, a child support modification can be granted when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, either for a parent or a child. For example:
- An increase or decrease in either parent's income
- Increased or decreased needs of the child (such as special care, child care costs, medical expenses or school-related costs)
Child Support Modifications Due to Job Loss or Loss of Income
In today's economy, many people are facing layoffs, reductions in hours, salary decreases and other income loss. If you are struggling to pay your child support — or if you are receiving child support but still struggling to pay your bills — you can seek a child support modification.
It is important to understand that even if you have made an agreement with the other parent to increase or decrease your child support, you should still seek a formal child support modification through the courts. If you are not paying or receiving the court-ordered amount, the Attorney General's Child Support Division may initiate a child support enforcement action, or it may credit overpayments to future bills.
Contact a Lawyer About Changing Your Child Support Order
To discuss or oppose a modification to a child support order, contact us at the Law Offices of Holli M. Palmer in Houston, Texas, for a low-cost initial consultation. We will review your situation and explain your rights and options.
