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How Do I Change My Child Support Payments?

When child support arrangements are determined by the court, factors such as lifestyle, income, and assets are taken into consideration. However, as life progresses, those factors and situations may change. If you find yourself needing to make adjustments or changes to your child support arrangements, call on the help of the family lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC.

In today’s blog, we’ll cover the basics when it comes to changing or adjusting your child support payments to fit your circumstances. While child support is put into practice in order to ensure that your children are supported and taken care of, we understand that your job situation may change and you may be receiving less income. We can help. Keep reading to learn more.

Reach a Parental Agreement

The easiest way to amend a child support order is for the two biological parents to reach an agreement when it comes to the amount to be paid each month. If the two of you are able to sit down and agree on a new amount, that’s great! However, it takes a few more steps than just a word-of-mouth arrangement.

When the new amount has been agreed upon, a new support order must be documented and signed by a judge in order to go into effect. If that step is skipped, the new agreement means nothing in the legal world. In order to confirm and secure your new child support arrangement, get an official document signed by a judge as soon as possible to avoid future complications.

Court-Ordered Arrangement

If you and your co-parent are having trouble reaching an amicable agreement about your child support payments, it may be necessary to go straight to court and have it determined by a judge. This process can be time-consuming, but may be the best option if an arrangement can’t be made between the two parties.

When a judge looks over your case, they will take many factors into consideration in order to determine whether or not the circumstances have changed enough to make amendments to the child support order. Some things they may consider are:

  • The child’s needs have changed.

  • A parent gets a new job.

  • A parent loses a job.

  • A parent has become disabled or incarcerated.

  • There has been a significant change in the amount of time that the child stays with each parent.

Basically, if the situation and circumstances have substantially changed since the original order was created, it is likely that the court will revisit the order and make changes as necessary.

Put the Child First

At the end of the day, when it comes to determining child support payments and arrangements, the most important thing to remember is that the child’s needs come first. It's an important thing for both parents to remember and take into consideration as they are reaching an agreement or changing the existing child support arrangements.

Dealing with the separation of a spouse or co-parent can be difficult, but for the sake of the child, we hope that you are able to be as amiable as possible. If you’re in need of legal advice when it comes to your separation, child support, or any familial issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Dallas law offices of Robert J. Anderson PLLC.

Choose the Family Lawyer that Puts You First

If you’re in need of a family lawyer because you’re trying to change your child support arrangement, get in touch with our team of experienced attorneys today. We will offer the best advice for your situation and help you make the necessary changes that benefit you and your child. Child support orders don’t have to be permanent. Especially during these difficult times for our country, jobs and life circumstances can be unstable and unpredictable. Make the changes you need with the help of our family lawyers. Call today to schedule a consultation at Robert J. Anderson PLLC.

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