Life after divorce often brings changes that can impact the original terms of your agreement or order. Whether these changes are related to financial circumstances, relocation, or adjustments in your children’s needs, a Reston divorce modifications lawyer can assist you.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we know the importance of adapting to new circumstances and are committed to working closely with you to address modifications. Our experienced team of Reston divorce lawyers will work to meet your goals. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with one of our Client Services Coordinators today.
Steps to Take When Seeking to Modify Your Divorce Agreement or Order
Modifying a finalized divorce order involves a detailed legal process. Due to the challenges of family law, attempting modifications on your own can be intimidating and costly.
An experienced Reston family lawyer will guide you through each step, ensuring your request for modification meets all legal requirements and ensuring that your goals are met.
Here are the steps involved in seeking a modification:
- Seek legal guidance: Engage a knowledgeable Reston family lawyer to navigate the modification process.
- Draft and file your petition: Your lawyer will draft and file a petition for modification with the court, adhering to VA. Code Section 20-108 requirements.
- Opposing party response: After filing, the opposition will review and respond to your petition.
- Discovery process: Both parties engage in discovery, exchanging necessary information.
Responding to a Divorce Modification Initiated by Your Ex-Spouse
In some instances, your former spouse may seek to modify the terms of your divorce order or settlement. In this case, a skilled divorce modifications lawyer in Reston will help safeguard your interests.
It’s common for disagreements to arise over the specifics of the proposed modifications, even if there’s initial agreement on the need for change.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., our focus is on defending your rights and striving for a modification that is equitable and just, ensuring the revised terms of your divorce are balanced and fair.
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Common Changes With Which a Divorce Modifications Attorney in Reston Can Help
Significant changes to your life or the lives of your ex-spouse or children can necessitate a modification to the original terms of your divorce order or settlement. Some of the most commonly sought modifications include changes to:
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support
- Spousal support
Child Custody and Visitation Modifications
There are a variety of reasons you or your ex-spouse may wish to make changes to your child custody and visitation arrangement. The most common reasons a judge will grant a modification to custody and visitation include:
- Changes to living conditions
- Remarriage or other changes in the household
- Changes in work schedules
- Job relocation
If either you or your ex-spouse move into a new domicile, there may be reason to grant a modification. A judge will consider a change to your custody arrangement if the conditions of the new domicile and surrounding neighborhood are dramatically different from the conditions your children lived under in the previous home.
If either parent gets remarried or begins cohabitating with someone else, a judge may consider altering the terms of the original divorce agreement or order. The chances of a modification under these circumstances will be greater if the new party in the household potentially poses a threat to the health, safety, and overall well-being of your children.
Another reason to seek a modification is if either parent’s work schedule changes significantly. Joint custody may no longer be feasible if one parent is forced to relocate for work. Relocation cases are unique and are handled differently from standard modification cases.
Child Support Modifications
Extreme changes in either parent’s financial situation can lead a judge to modify the size of child support payments in your divorce settlement or order. When the parent responsible for making child support payments loses employment, they may be unable to afford the current payments. Alternatively, a large increase in income can lead to an increase in child support payments.
Any significant changes to either your or your former spouse’s household income can sway a judge to modify the terms of your child support order or agreement. Furthermore, significant changes to your children’s financial needs can be grounds to seek a modification.
Of course, if there are any modifications to your custody agreement or order, child support payments will also be affected.
For example, if the court makes a change to which parent has primary custody, the parent receiving support payments will now likely be responsible for making those payments.
Spousal Support Modifications
Spousal support modifications are typically granted after either party sees significant changes to their household income. For example, if you have been paying spousal support to your former spouses and they get remarried, a judge may terminate spousal support altogether.
Secure the Services of an Experienced Divorce Modifications Lawyer in Reston Today
If either you or your former spouse is seeking a modification to your original divorce agreement or order, hiring an experienced divorce modifications attorney in Reston will significantly improve your odds of a positive result that meets your needs.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we have a long history of helping clients through divorce modification cases. Contact us by phone or through this website to schedule a free case evaluation with someone from our team today.
