Four Ways To Qualify For Increased Child Support
The amount of child support you receive after a divorce isn't set in stone. It is possible for the amount to be changed in the future. In fact, you can even go back to court and request an increase in child support if necessary. The following guide can help you determine if this is a good idea.
Has your income recently dropped?
If your income has dropped due to no fault of your own, such as a layoff or reduced hours, you may be able to get a temporary increase in child support to help offset the expenses of raising children until you can find new employment. There may be a time limit on this increase, so it is important that you continue to look for work. If you purposely quit your job or cut your own hours, though, you may not be eligible for an increase.
Are there reasons you can no longer work?
Sometimes a more permanent increase can be granted if there is a reason that you cannot return to work. For example, if you suffer a chronic illness that precludes your ability to work but does not affect you as a parent. Another example is if one of the children needs full-time care from a parent due to a disability or illness. In this case, you will need to fully document the circumstances to the court along with providing documentation of any income that will be coming in, such as disability payments.
Has your former spouse had a major increase in income?
Often, child support payments start off low if the other parent is in a low-paying job. Then, as they rise through the ranks and get promotions and raises, the payments don't keep pace unless the support was set up as a percentage of earnings instead of a flat rate. If the other parent has benefited from a major income increase, you may be able to request an increase in child support payments from the court.
Did your child's needs change?
Finally, an increase is a possibility if the needs of your child have changed. Examples include tuition for necessary education, treatment costs for illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, or increased costs because of certain extracurriculars. Medical costs can usually result in an increase. Education costs may allow for an increase if the cost is deemed necessary to the child's well being by the court. The same is true for extracurricular costs. For example, the court may not grant an increase because your child wants to take music lessons, but they may grant an increase if your child was previously in lessons and the cost has gone up over the years as your child's skill level increased.
For more help, contact a family lawyer in your area.
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