Introduction
Going through a divorce can bring about numerous changes in one’s life, including financial circumstances. These changes may necessitate a modification of child support or alimony payments. If you find yourself in a situation where your income has recently increased or decreased, you might be wondering if it is possible to adjust the amount you pay for child support or alimony in the state of Washington. This article aims to delve into the topic and provide insights on whether seeking a modification is feasible.
Child Support Modification
Typically, the determination of child support amount takes place during the divorce proceedings. The court takes various factors into consideration, such as the income of each parent, the number of children involved, and the respective parenting time allocated to each parent.
In the event that your income has decreased following the divorce, it is within your rights to request a modification of child support. The court will carefully examine your current income in order to ascertain if there has been a significant change that warrants an adjustment in child support. It is important to note, however, that if you voluntarily choose to quit your job or intentionally reduce your working hours in order to evade your responsibilities of paying child support, the court may be less inclined to grant a modification.
The process of seeking a modification of child support involves filing a petition with the court and providing evidence of your current income status. The other parent will also have the opportunity to respond to your petition and present their own evidence. Ultimately, should the court determine that there has indeed been a substantial change in circumstances, it may proceed to modify the child support amount.
Alimony Modification
Alimony, or spousal support, is designed to provide financial support to the spouse who earns a lower income. Its purpose is to assist the supported spouse in maintaining their standard of living following a divorce.
Should your income decrease subsequent to the divorce, you may choose to request a modification of alimony. In making this decision, the court will take into account your current income as well as the income of the supported spouse. Should the supported spouse experience a significant increase in their income, the court may then modify or even terminate the alimony agreement.
Similar to the process of modifying child support, applying for an alimony modification requires you to file a petition with the court and furnish evidence of the changes in your circumstances. The supported spouse will also be given the opportunity to respond and present their own evidence. If the court determines that there has been a notable change in circumstances, it may proceed to modify or terminate the alimony arrangement.
Conclusion
If your income has undergone a change subsequent to your divorce, it is indeed possible to request a modification of child support or alimony. However, it is crucial that you effectively demonstrate to the court that there has been a significant change in circumstances that justifies such a modification. Seeking the guidance of a knowledgeable family law attorney is highly recommended to ensure that you are able to navigate the process successfully and safeguard your rights throughout.