When Alabama courts decide on child custody payments in a divorce case, this payment is not set in stone. The court understands that life is unpredictable and changes without warning. Because of that, there are situations in which you can modify child support payment.
Needless to say, you cannot request a reduction in child support payments for no reason. You cannot ask to pay less because you wish you had more money to spend. But there are some life situations that may cause you to have a genuine shortage in funds. This may make it difficult to pay the amount established at the time of your divorce. Some life changes that cut into your finances may include:
- Demotion or losing a job
- Remarrying and gaining another family to support
- The loss of ability to work through illness or injury
You can also ask to pay less if the primary carer marries into another family. If they gain support from their new spouse, they should not need as much support from you. If they get a new job that pays them more, this can also count.
Changes work the other way, too. You can request an increase in child support if your ex-spouse gains more income. The same is true if they inherit a large sum of money. You can also request an increase if the child’s financial needs grow as they age.
If you want to read more about child support modifications, you can visit our linked web page here. Learn more about the requirements needed to request a support modification. You can learn other information about child support and divorce modifications as well.