Custody and Support Arrangements Are Subject to Change
Change is the only constant in life. As your family's circumstances change, the legal terms of your divorce decree may require changes to reflect new realities. Attorney Jeffrey S. Koster can provide compassionate guidance and aggressive representation to help you request or contest a modification. Mr. Koster is involved in every aspect of every case at our firm.
To schedule an initial consultation, call 866.941.1325 or contact the law offices of Jeffrey S. Koster, P.L., online. We are located in Lutz, Florida, and we serve clients throughout Lutz County, Tampa County, Hillsborough County and Pasco County.
Making Modifications to Orders
To modify a child support, time-sharing (child custody) or spousal support order, you must submit a petition to the court. The other party (your former spouse, or the other parent of your child) can contest the change, and the court will approve or deny the request based on the evidence.
- Modifications to time-sharing provisions are usually made in response to a failure on the part of a parent. The parent may have failed to honor the custody agreement or has engaged in illegal, irresponsible, dangerous or risky behavior, such as substance abuse.
- Modifications to child support and spousal support / alimony are usually made in response to significant changes in income. For example, if the party paying child support gets laid off, he or she can ask to have child support payments reduced or suspended.
Enforcement of Custody and Support Arrangements
If either party violates any aspect of child custody, child support or spousal support terms, the other party can file an enforcement action with the court.
The court can respond in a number of ways: by garnishing the offender's wages; by sentencing the offender to jail time; or by issuing a strong warning. Warnings usually carry the threat of severe consequences if there is a repeated offense. The court may also restructure the support / parenting time plan to reflect the understanding that one parent has proven likely to violate it.
If you would like to discuss a modification or enforcement with lawyer Jeffrey S. Koster, call 866.941.1325 or contact our law offices online.
