What To Do If Your Child Support Payments Are Too High?

Your child support order was based on a set of assumptions about your income and other related variables. However, if you change your job or lose one, you may find it difficult — if not impossible — to uphold the previous arrangement. Of course, not paying your child support can get you into legal trouble.

If your financial situation has changed, you must hire a divorce attorney in Nassau County and act immediately.

Start Your Dialogue with Your Former Spouse

Starting a conversation with the other parent is one of the first things you should do. You can explain the circumstance and see if they are willing to change or reduce the amount of support. If you and the other parent have a good co-parenting relationship, this could be one of the better options.

Explain the challenges you face and why you think your support should be reduced. More often than not, your former spouse will know more about your financial situation and how you have been caring for your child than a judge.

However, negotiating this approach can be tricky. When the relationship is fragile, or the other parent does not trust you, a dispute may ensue. While you can initiate a conversation, make sure to stay calm and end it politely if things get heated. You may decide to resume the dialogue after a cooling-off time, but there are other options to consider if that is not possible.

Seek a Child Support Modification

If your former spouse refuses to lower child support, it does not mean you are out of options. Alternatively, you can request the judge to modify the existing order. During the hearing, a judge will listen to your case and decide whether or not an order should be modified.

Keep in mind that taking your case to court does not guarantee that your support will be reduced. Make sure you have all of your financial documentation in order so that a judge can review them quickly.

Working With a Child Support Attorney

In many cases, you will find that hiring an attorney specializing in child support in Nassau County, NY, is the best option for modifying your existing support order. Attorneys are well-versed with the local court system and can help you get the most reasonable child support order possible.