If you are a divorced parent, you know how quickly life can change. While your original child support order may have worked in the beginning, your children’s needs are sure to evolve as they grow. Over time, you may find yourself trying to do more with less.
From a job loss, pay cut or transfer to changes in how you and your ex-spouse co-parent your children, there are many reasons you may want to revisit current child support amounts.
When can you request modification?
Either you or your ex-spouse may petition the court to review your current order. If a judge finds that there has been a significant change in circumstances, the court may increase or decrease support amounts. Examples of a substantial change include:
- You/your spouse now has a much higher or lower income
- You/your spouse want to change custody arrangements
- Your child develops specialized medical or educational needs
Generally speaking, the court may adjust payments if your current order diverges from Kentucky’s Child Support Guidelines by a significant amount.
Is it necessary to go to court?
You and your ex-spouse may agree to change your support order. If this is the case, you may not need to attend a court hearing to alter support amounts. However, seeking a judge’s approval is important for ensuring the new terms are fair and legally enforceable.
You may both agree to modification, but you may be unsure what adjustments to make. A family law mediator may be able to help you settle on a new arrangement that better fits your family’s financial realities.
