When you first started paying child support in Texas, the amount hopefully fit your budget. But if you experience a sudden drop in income, you might find that you can’t afford to make the same child support payments anymore. Can you get your child support payments reduced, or will you have to completely rethink your budget?
How can you get your child support payments reduced?
To get your child support payments reduced, you can request a child support modification. Modifications allow you to adjust the amount that you pay each month. However, you’ll have to prove to the judge that you’ve experienced a severe decrease in income. Be prepared with financial documents that prove you can’t afford the current payments.
Most courts only allow parents to request a modification once every two or three years. For this reason, you shouldn’t request a modification unless you have no other option. If the judge denies your request, you won’t be able to request a modification again for a long time.
Additionally, if you experience a sharp increase in income, your former spouse might request a child support modification that increases the amount of your payments. Be aware of this possibility. However, if the judge feels that your income hasn’t increased significantly, they might deny your former spouse’s request.
How can you prepare for a child support modification?
If you’ve decided to request a child support modification, hiring an attorney might increase your chances of success. An attorney may review your income and determine whether you should request a modification. If so, they may help gather financial documents to prove that you can’t afford the current payments.
If you’re the parent receiving child support, an attorney may help you request a modification. They might also represent you in court if your former spouse isn’t making their payments.
