Are you a father who is required to pay child support? Have you been able to stay current with payments in the past? Do you have reason to believe that this may not be the case in the future?
It goes without saying that you know what’s expected of you with regard to child support. You know how much to pay, when the money is due, and how to ensure that the other parent receives it in a timely manner.
But what happens if you are unable to make a child support payment in the future? What happens if you have reason to believe that this will remain the case for an extended period of time?
If you find yourself in this position, the best thing you can do is request a child support modification. This is much better than simply paying nothing or paying less. When you request a modification, you’re taking steps towards doing the right thing.
There are many reasons why your financial situation may change. For example, a job loss may make it difficult to pay child support in the future. The same holds true if you’ve suffered a serious injury or illness and are unable to work as a result.
Here are some tips to follow if you need to make a request for a child support modification:
- Don’t delay. Once you realize you can’t make a payment you need to learn more about requesting a modification.
- Learn more about the process.
- Reach out to the other parent to discuss your situation. You may be able to work out an arrangement without meeting in court.
- Pay as much as you can until your modification request is approved or denied.
- File your request with the appropriate court.
When you follow these basic tips, you’ll find yourself in better position to have your child support modification approved.
If, for any reason the court denies your approval, don’t assume that you are out of luck. Instead, you may need to file an appeal with more information backing up your claim.
In the end, what matters most is that you continue to support your child in a manner that fits into your financial plan.