5 Tips for Modifying Your Child Support Agreement in Alabama

February 5, 2019
Written on behalf of Daniel H. Chambers Attorney at Law, P .C.

When you first got divorced, you had a job that paid well and provided great benefits. Because of this, your child support payments were sufficient. But as a result of recent downsizing, you were forced to take a different position that pays substantially less. Now those child support payments don’t nearly cover your child’s expenses.

Fortunately, your child support agreement is not set in stone. You can have your support agreement modified, either by court order or if both you and your ex can agree on the new terms.

Here are five helpful tips for child support modification.

1) Don’t delay

As soon as you realize your financial circumstances are going to change, you need to take steps to start the modification process. The modification process can sometimes be time-consuming, so the sooner you begin, the sooner you can have the agreement changed.

2) Get informed

Look into the Alabama child support laws to find out what circumstances will qualify for a change to the support agreement.

3) Try to come to a mutual agreement

Before you start to pursue a court order, first try to come to an agreement with your ex. If the two of you can agree on a new amount that is sufficient to cover your child’s expenses before getting approval from the court, it can save time, money, and emotional distress.

4) Keep documentation

The court will require that you have had a significant change in circumstances in order to approve a modification of child support. Document the change in your job, including the decrease in pay and benefits.

5) File a request with the court

When you file a request for a change of your current child support agreement, you should file it in the same court where the original was filed. Even if you and your ex were able to come to an agreement, new paperwork documenting the change must be filed with the court. The court will then issue a new order to reflect the change and detailing when the change will take effect.

Making a change to a child support agreement can sometimes be a long and complicated process, especially when you and your ex cannot come to an agreement outside of the court. Before starting the process, be sure you understand whether or not your circumstances warrant a change.

This blog post should not be taken as official legal advice. If you need more information about divorce or child support payments, it’s best to speak with an experienced attorney, like Daniel H. Chambers, Attorney at Law, PC.

Mr. Chambers is a respected attorney in the Alabama legal community who takes pride in successfully negotiating favorable settlements for his clients because he never wants his clients to spend a dime more than necessary.

Mr. Chambers is also prepared to fight for you in the courtroom. He prepares every case as if it will head to trial because he wants to be ready to make the best possible arguments on your behalf at the negotiating table and in court.

Click here to get a free consultation with an experienced Birmingham, AL family lawyer.