If part of your divorce decree involved alimony payments, you may be wondering if it is possible to modify it. After all, circumstances can change and your financial situation may not be what it was when your divorce finalized. Even if your current predicament is only temporary, you can still request a modification of your alimony payments.
Before you take your former spouse to court to petition the modification, you should try to have a discussion and attempt to reach an agreement. Doing so will save you time and money, but remember you will still need to go through the proper legal channels to ensure that, regardless if your ex suddenly has a change of heart, the order is enforceable.
Petitioning the Court to Modify Your Alimony Payments
If you and your former spouse are not on amicable enough terms to work out an agreement on your own, you can petition the court for a modification. However, to achieve successful results, you must prove that your circumstances or the circumstances of your former spouse changed significantly.
Here are some examples:
- You involuntarily became unemployed or received a cut in pay
- You developed a medical condition or disability that prevents you from working
- Your former spouse gets remarried or lives with a new partner
- Your former spouse receives a substantial increase in income
- You have a new support obligation, such as a new child
- You are experiencing a financial emergency
The above list is not exhaustive, so even if the change you experienced is not listed above, a judge may still grant your request.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney to Discuss the Details of Your Case
If your circumstances changed and you believe your alimony payments should be modified, you will need an experienced attorney to handle your case. At the Law Office of Russell S. Hershkowitz, L.L.C., our family law attorney will help you navigate this process, so you have the best possible chance of obtaining successful results.
Call our law office today at (407) 753-4111 to set up a consultation.