After your divorce, you will experience various changes in different areas of your life. One area where you may see the most change is in your finances. The end of your marriage will likely necessitate adjustments in your spending and lifestyle due to property division, distribution of marital debt and other financial responsibilities, such as spousal support. You may also have the responsibility of making regular payments for the financial support of your children as well.
If you are paying child support, it may be difficult to maintain this specific type of financial responsibility as you are also adjusting to other changes in your life. This may not become easier over time, and you could find yourself in a place where you may need to change the terms of your child support order. In some situations, you may be able to obtain a modification to your original order.
Modifications for certain circumstances
Modifications are possible in specific circumstances in which it is clear that you are no longer able to meet the financial requirements of your support order. This does not reflect on your capabilities as a parent, but it simply means that you may need your support order to match your current circumstances. If you are unsure of whether you should pursue a modification, the following may be helpful to you:
- If you believe that the current order is unfair to you, you may have grounds to seek a modification.
- In order to secure a modification, you will need to follow a specific process, including formalizing the changes in an Arkansas family court.
- If your current financial limitations are temporary, you can seek a short-term change to your child support order.
- Even if you and the other parent agree to the changes you are seeking in your child support order, it is still in your interests to take the appropriate legal steps.
Seeking a modification to your child support order does not have any bearing on your right to see your kids or remain an active part of their lives. If you believe that you could benefit from a modification to your current child support order, you may find it helpful to seek an understanding of your legal options. Instead of simply paying less or stopping your payments altogether, understanding how a modification works may be in your interests.