After your divorce has been finalized, you could find yourself needing to make changes to your spousal support agreement or order. A substantial increase or decrease in your financial situation or that of your former spouse can create a need for a modification. Fortunately, an experienced spousal support modifications lawyer in Richmond can help.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we have been assisting clients as they navigate through the spousal support modifications process for over a decade. Regardless of whether you are the one attempting to modify your spousal support agreement or if you’re responding to a modification request from your former spouse, our Richmond spousal support lawyers can help.
Set up a free case consultation with one of our Client Service Coordinators today.
When to Get Help from an Attorney With Your Spousal Support Modification Case
Whether you are paying or receiving spousal support payments, financial changes can create a need to modify the terms of your original agreement or order. The most common reasons a judge would approve a spousal support arrangement modification include:
- If you or your ex-spouse lose employment, see a sizable reduction in hours or pay rate, or retire
- If you or your ex-spouse receive a significant increase in pay or obtain a new and higher-paying job
- If the party receiving spousal support payments gets married
An experienced Richmond divorce lawyer can help you file to change your spousal support order. If your former spouse requested the modification, your lawyer can assist you and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
Terminating a Spousal Support Agreement or Order
In certain circumstances, terminating, rather than modifying, your spousal support arrangement may be a better option. If this is the case, an extreme change in your situation would be necessary for a judge to grant termination.
The most common reason spousal support orders or agreements are terminated is when the spouse receiving support payment remarries and their new spouse’s income replaces the money they were receiving from their ex-spouse. An experienced Richmond family lawyer can help you identify whether termination is an option.
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Steps a Spousal Support Modifications Attorney in Richmond Will Take in Your Case
When you hire a Richmond spousal support modifications lawyer from Melone Hatley, P.C., you will be getting a partner who will work by your side through every step of the support modifications process. Some of the steps you can expect your attorney to take in pursuit of a positive outcome to your case include:
- Reviewing the details of your current spousal support order or agreement
- Reviewing the financial situation for both you and your ex-spouse
- Reviewing any recent changes that affected the financial situation of either spouse
- Helping you file all the paperwork needed to adjust your current spousal support agreement or order
- Responding to any modification petition filed by your former spouse if they are the one seeking a change
When you hire us to handle your case, we will take all the necessary steps to ensure that we put you in a position to achieve an outcome that meets your goals. We’ll answer all your questions so that you fully understand your situation and how a modification would affect you.
Different Types of Spousal Support and the Modifications You Can Make
When hoping to modify your spousal support order or agreement, it’s critical that you fully understand the terms of your current arrangement and how any modification would alter your financial situation.
Your options for requesting a modification will depend on the type of spousal support agreement you currently have in place.
Temporary Alimony
Temporary alimony is put into place during divorce proceedings and can be modified whenever there are significant financial changes for either party.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony provides spousal support while one spouse pursues a steady source of income. If the educational or career advancement goals of the spouse receiving payments change or if they become self-sufficient earlier than predicted, modifications can be made to your rehabilitative alimony arrangement.
Permanent Alimony
For those with a permanent alimony arrangement, payments are expected to be made until the death of either party. However, certain changes, including the remarriage of the party receiving alimony or substantial changes in either party’s financial status, can be grounds for a modification.
Non-Modifiable Support
When non-modifiable support is awarded in your case, you will not have the option to modify your spousal support order. When dealing with non-modifiable support, the authority of the court is extremely limited. The only thing they will be able to do in this situation is to uphold and enforce the support order.
Reach Out to an Experienced Spousal Support Modifications Lawyer Serving Richmond Today
Whether you are looking to modify your spousal support order or responding to a modification request from your ex-spouse, hiring an experienced Richmond spousal support modifications attorney can make all the difference. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our compassionate team will use every tool at our disposal to ensure a favorable outcome for your case.
Contact us by phone or through our website today to set up a free case review. We have the experience needed to help ensure your case’s results align with your goals. Our client testimonials paint a picture of the service you can expect.
