If you or the other parent of your child has a change in income, parenting time, or expenses, one it may be necessary to file a petition for child support modification. A modification can allow you to pay less or receive more child support. The process of filing a petition can be complicated, but the Tampa child support lawyers from Melone Hately, P.C., are here to help.
A Tampa child support modifications lawyer from our firm can assess your situation, determine if you qualify for a modification, and assist with related legal proceedings. We’ll guide you through the legal process and take all the steps necessary to ensure you and your children have a financially stable future.
Factors That Qualify for a Child Support Modification in Tampa, FL
There are many changes that may occur in your life and the lives of your children that warrant a modification to your current child support order. At Melone Hately, P.C., our Tampa family lawyers have 10 years of experience filing successful child support modification petitions.
A Tampa child support modifications attorney from our team can help you change your current order for any of the following reasons:
Income Changes
If your income or the other parent’s income has increased or decreased, you may be able to file a petition for modification. According to Fla. Stat. § 61.30, the income changes must translate to either an increase or decrease of 15% or $50 in monthly child support obligation.
Parenting Time Changes
Changes in the amount of time that you and the other parent spend with your children can also qualify for a modification. For example, if your original parenting plan stated that you would spend 120 nights per year with your child, but you are actually spending closer to 200 nights, you may qualify to receive more child support.
Changes in Expenses
Changes in your expenses can make it hard for you to keep up with child support payments or support your children with the amount of money you’re currently receiving. Fortunately, the state of Florida allows you to file a petition to modify your current order for several different types of changes in your expenses.
A child support modifications lawyer from Tampa can help you change your current order for any of the following reasons:
- Daycare expenses, unless the affected party is a stay-at-home parent
- End of alimony payments
- New child support orders for children with another parent
- Payroll taxes that change a parent’s income
- Change in child’s health insurance premium
- A significant change in a parent’s health insurance premium
How Our Tampa Child Support Modifications Attorneys Can Help
If you’re experiencing changes in your income or other challenges that are impacting your ability to support your children, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and may be too busy to undergo the process of filing a petition for modification.
Fortunately, our highly skilled team of attorneys can handle these matters for you and keep you updated on their progress. Here’s what our firm can do to help:
- Offer clear legal counsel and answer any questions you have about child support modifications
- Assist you in filing a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support
- Help you complete required financial disclosures
- Represent you during mediations and trials
- Provide free resources to help guide you through this time in your life
- And more
Modifying Child Support That Is Past Due
In most cases, you won’t be able to modify support that is past due. Even if you successfully modify your current obligation, it won’t alter the amount of payments you owe. A modification will only change the amount you owe from the filing date forward.
However, depending on the judge, you may be able to retroactively terminate child support if your child has become an adult. Our child support modifications attorneys in Tampa can advise you on this issue and help you take the steps that are right for your unique case.
Tampa Child Support Modifications
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What Happens if a Parent Loses Their Job?
If the other parent has lost their job, is unable to fulfill the financial obligation required by the current child support order, and has filed a petition for modification, you might be worried about how you’ll get the money you need to support your children. Unfortunately, some parents voluntarily quit their jobs to try to pay less child support.
The good news is that our team can investigate the situation and determine if the other parent’s unemployment is voluntary or involuntary. If we find evidence that suggests the other parent’s unemployment is voluntary, your child support payments will likely stay relatively stable.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Tampa Child Support Modifications Attorney
Negotiating modifications to child support can be a stressful and confusing process. Luckily, the team at Melone Hately, P.C., can help you complete forms and navigate the legal process required to change a child support order.
We’ve received countless positive testimonials from clients in situations similar to yours. Reading about their experiences with our team will give you peace of mind that choosing our firm is the best decision you can make. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa child support modifications lawyer and get the help you deserve.
