Providence Post Divorce Modification Lawyer
Financial issues are never static. When the circumstances used to determine the initial child support obligation have substantially changed; requiring an increase or decrease in child support; it is important to consult an experienced Warwick child support modification attorney to ensure you understand your rights and obligations under Rhode Island child support laws.
At the Law Office of Steven J. Hirsch, we take the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Our law firm is focused on helping people; getting you the results you need and representing you in a prompt manner. Contact us at 401-287-2079 to schedule your initial consultation.
Rhode Island Child Support; When Is a Change Necessary?
When you are required to pay monthly support for your children or are entitled to receive support, even small changes can make a difference. If you have lost your job, if your hours have been cut, or if you have increased financial obligations for other children, your monthly child support obligation can be overly burdensome. Conversely, if day care expenses have increased, health care expenses have skyrocketed, or other financial needs of your child have increased, an augmented child support arrangement may be necessary.
When a parent can demonstrate a significant change in circumstances, such as an income increase or decrease, or a significant change in percentage of visitation/parenting time, the court may approve a child support modification. However, a parent must first request that the court modify the order.
Child Support Orders Are Effective Until Modified by the Court
Many people incorrectly believe that child support obligations are periodically reviewed by the court and are adjusted as necessary. However, if you believe a change is warranted, you must take action in order for the court to conduct a review. Further, if you have agreed to modified terms of increased or decreased child support, it is critical to have the child support modification agreement entered into a court order. Otherwise, months or even years down the road, the other party can request that the court enforce the current order on record.
Even if you have agreed to modified terms, the court is obligated to enforce the child support order on record. This could result in the court requiring that the noncustodial parent pay accrued back child support (if decreased child support had been agreed upon) or can result in the court requiring the custodial parent to reimburse the noncustodial parent for overpaid support (if increased child support had been agreed upon). In order to protect your interests and the interests of your children, it is vital to stay alert to when a change in support may be necessary.
Rhode Island Family Law Representation
Attorney Steven Hirsch helps clients ensure child support orders truly reflect their situation. We work closely with clients to negotiate or mediate family law issues, such as child support modification and ensure the agreement is entered into a modified court order. When matters cannot be resolved amicably, we represent clients in child support modification cases in court.
Contact Us
Our office is centrally located off of Routes 95 and 295, 10 minutes from the Providence and Kent County Courthouses. Our hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with weekend appointments available as needed. We offer an initial consultation to discuss your concerns involving child support modifications or other legal issues, and we accept Visa and MasterCard. Contact us at 401-287-2079 for more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Warwick child support modification lawyer.
