Parents who pay or receive child support are bound by the dollar figure the court orders. However, circumstances can change, making it hard for the paying parent to meet their obligations or for the receiving parent to cover their children’s needs. If you are facing a change in your financial situation, it may be time to revisit your child support agreement. Not sure how to win a child support modification case in Iowa? You need to take proactive steps today to increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
Child Support Modification Tips
Child support modification allows parents to request that the court amend the amount of child support money they pay or receive. Some of the most common reasons a parent will seek to adjust child support include job loss or employment, significant income changes, custody arrangements, or increased costs associated with childcare or child-related expenses.
You can prepare for a child support modification case and help increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome by taking steps today to support your position. Courts want to see substantial evidence demonstrating why child support modification is necessary. That means providing the court with information and evidence that shows a substantial change in your financial situation or the financial situation of your former spouse, such as:
- Proof of Income Changes – Proving income changes may require pay stubs, tax returns, unemployment paperwork, bank statements, or a letter from your employer explaining a change in your income or financial status.
- Proof of Changes in Custody Arrangements – If there have been formal or informal changes to your custody arrangement, that should be provided to the court. If you have joint physical custody, but your former partner is skipping their parenting time, you need schedules, emails, phone calls, and text messages showing you are taking on the brunt of custody duties. If you have a formal custody agreement that has changed, you must produce copies of those changes to the court.
- Proof of Increased Expenses – Time changes. If you are finding it harder to keep up with your child support payments or need more money to provide for your child, start by collecting documentation of the increase in your expenses. Documents can include medical bills, childcare or daycare costs, education expenses, rental increases, insurance premium increases, and anything that shows your measurable expenses have risen.
Win Through Organization and Support
Accuracy and organization are crucial to helping strengthen your case. You want to provide the court with a detailed and accurate financial accounting of your situation and expenses. If you are seeking additional child support, you also want to prove that your former partner now has the financial means to provide more for their child. Social media posts, text messages, email communications, and other documentation may help you build your case.
You can also significantly increase your chances of winning a child support modification case by enlisting the help of an experienced child support modification attorney. An attorney can help collect and preserve the evidence to support your case. They can also prepare and file your modification request and advocate for you and your child in court, negotiating a plan that meets your child’s needs.
How Long Does Child Support Modification Take?
If you are feeling the pinch or find yourself in dire financial straits, waiting for a child support modification can feel agonizing. Finalizing a child support modification can take time, anywhere from weeks to months or longer, depending on the situation’s complexity. Issues like court availability and the willingness of each party to agree on the terms of the modification can affect how long it takes to modify a child support order. Contested modifications where parents disagree on the modification’s terms can extend the time it takes to arrive at a resolution.
During this time, do not stop paying your court-ordered child support. If you are concerned about your financial situation, discuss your circumstances with a child support modification attorney who can guide you through your legal options.
How a Child Support Modification Attorney Can Help
Going through legal processes and cooperating with a former spouse can be challenging. Put yourself in the best position to achieve a child support modification by securing effective legal representation. At Arenson Law Group, PC, our family law team can help you manage the child support modification process from start to finish and tenaciously work to find the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Contact us online or call our office at (319) 363-8199 for the legal advice and support you need to protect yourself and your child.