Modifying Child Support in Pittsburgh

When two parents go through a divorce or separation, they must create a custody agreement that organizes certain elements of the child’s welfare, such as housing, visitation, and child support. As time goes on, the non-custodial parent, or the parent that does not attend to the child’s daily needs, may have trouble making support payments. If you are hoping to modify your original child support agreement, you may feel as if your efforts are being ignored. Your spouse may not be willing to change the arrangement, and the court may be skeptical of the reasoning behind the proposed modifications.

The Pittsburgh child support attorneys at Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC understand the turmoil that can arise in these complex situations. With years of legal experience and comprehensive knowledge regarding support issues, we can help you through the process of altering child support.

Coming To an Agreement

To modify the terms of your child support agreement, the first step is conferring with your child’s other parent. If the two of you can agree on the modifications, you will not need to go through the arduous process of petitioning the court. From there, you will only need a judge to sign off on the changes. Before this can occur, however, both parents must explain the reasoning behind the adjustments. The court may deny such a request if the new payment amount falls below state guidelines, as it is always required that the child’s current standard of living be maintained.

Taking Your Case to Court

If your child’s other parent will not cooperate, it may be necessary to ask the court to modify the child support agreement. This usually involves filing a petition that requests a change to the existing custody order. Once this document has been processed, both parents will be required to attend a hearing before a judge. Here, the court will hear arguments from both sides, with you advocating for the proposed change and your child’s other parent fighting against it. While it is possible to represent yourself in this situation, the help of a skilled lawyer can be invaluable. An attorney can ensure that you present the proper evidence and help you explain why the proposed changes are necessary.

In most cases, a judge will only modify a child support order if there is a dramatic change in circumstances. Depending on the severity of the changes, the alteration will either be permanent or temporary. Common changes that could lead to a child support agreement being modified include, but are not limited to:

• The child having a medical emergency
• The non-custodial parent losing their job or being incapacitated by an injury or condition
• Sudden financial hardship experienced by the receiving parent
• The household income of either parent being changed by a marriage or partnership
• An increase in the child’s cost of living
• The child’s needs are altered due to a change in age

Let Us Protect Your Rights

Whether it involves a shift in your circumstances or your child’s, modifying a child support arrangement may be essential. If you are going through this process, you may be worried about losing out on certain parental rights. After all, the judge might deny your request, and your ex may not feel comfortable with the proposed changes.

The Pittsburgh child support lawyers at Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC know that attempting to alter a child support agreement can put the relationship between you and your child at risk. Family lawyer Anthony Piccirilli will do everything within the law to help while maintaining the rest of the custody order.

Call (412) 471-5100 now to see how your child support payment can be changed.