At any point following the finalization of your divorce, circumstances might necessitate a change in your spousal support order. If either you or your former spouse experiences a significant change in your financial situation, a modification may be appropriate. Fortunately, an experienced spousal support modifications lawyer in Fairfax can assist you.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we have spent more than a decade helping our clients through the process of spousal support modification. Whether you are wanting to modify your support order or are responding to a petition for modification from your ex-spouse, our Fairfax spousal support lawyers can help.
Schedule a free case review with one of the Client Service Coordinators at our firm today to see the difference we can make for you.
When to Seek Legal Assistance With Your Spousal Support Modification Case
Regardless of whether you are the party paying or receiving spousal support after your divorce, you may be eligible to seek a modification to the terms of your original order after significant changes in financial circumstances. The most common reasons for seeking a modification of a spousal support order include:
- A loss of employment, sizeable reduction in pay rate or hours, or retirement of either party
- A new, higher-paying job or a significant raise for either party
- Remarriage for the party who had been receiving spousal support payments or living with someone analogous to marriage
When attempting to modify your spousal support order, an experienced Fairfax divorce lawyer will help you file for a modification so that you can get the process started. Alternatively, an attorney will help you respond to a modification request from your former spouse if they are seeking a change. Your attorney will help ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
Termination of Your Spousal Support Order
Rather than modifying your spousal support order, terminating spousal support may be the better option for your situation. For termination of spousal support to be an option, your financial situation or that of your former spouse will need to change drastically.
The most common reason that judges grant termination requests is when the party receiving spousal support remarries or starts living with someone analogous to marriage.. When considering termination, you should consult an experienced Fairfax family lawyer.
Your attorney will work with you and review all applicable information to determine if your circumstances warrant termination of spousal support.
Steps a Spousal Support Modifications Attorney Serving Fairfax Will Take on Your Behalf
When you work with a Fairfax spousal support modifications lawyer from Melone Hatley, P.C., you have a partner throughout the support modifications process. Your attorney will fight by your side every step of the way to ensure you get a fair outcome. Some of the actions you can expect your lawyer to take as they seek a favorable outcome for your case include:
- Reviewing the details of the spousal support order currently in place
- Evaluating the financial status of both you and your ex-spouse
- Weighing the impact of any recent changes to the financial situation of either spouse
- Assisting you in the filing of all the paperwork needed to adjust your current spousal support order
- Responding to any modification petition submitted by your former spouse if they are the one looking to make a change
When you secure our legal services, we will use every resource at our disposal to help you achieve an outcome that aligns with your goals. We will ensure you have a thorough understanding of your situation and the effect that any modification would have on your life.
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Modifications With Different Types of Spousal Support
One of the things that will impact your options for modifying your spousal support agreement is the type of order you have in place. Different types of spousal support can be awarded depending on particular details of your situation.
Temporary Alimony or Spousal Support
Temporary alimony, Pendente Lite Spousal Support, begins during proceedings initiated due to your divorce or in the juvenile and domestic relations (JDR) court, and modifications can be made to this type of spousal support anytime either party sees a significant change to their financial situation.
Rehabilitative Alimony or Spousal Support
Rehabilitative alimony provides financial support to one spouse until they are able to support themselves. An adjustment can be made to a rehabilitative alimony order if the spouse receiving spousal support payments’ educational or career advancement goals change or if they become self-sufficient sooner than expected.
Permanent Alimony
With a permanent alimony order, it is expected that payments will continue to be made until the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving support.
Non-Modifiable Support
Non-modifiable support will only be used if both you and your spouse agree to the terms of the non-modifiable support contract and forfeit any right to request a modification in the future. With non-modifiable support, the court will be unable to make any changes to the original order.
The only areas in which the court has jurisdiction regarding non-modifiable support are upholding and enforcing these spousal support payments.
Get Help From an Experienced Spousal Support Modifications Lawyer in Fairfax Today
Whether attempting to modify your spousal support order or responding to a petition for a modification from your former spouse, having an experienced Fairfax spousal support modifications attorney can prove critical. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our compassionate team will devote its resources to ensuring a positive outcome for your case.
Reach out to us through our website or by phone to schedule a free consultation today. We have the experience needed to help ensure the outcome of your case is aligned with our goals. Our client testimonials can help you better understand the type of service we provide to our clients.
