Things change in life. You were once single without responsibilities, and then you had a child. Your life changed. No matter if you went through a divorce or weren’t in a relationship with the other parent, you are both tied together through the child. Child support is meant to help the custodial parent provide a good life for the child through financial assistance. That doesn’t mean that things won’t change after a child support order is put into place. Learn more about how to change a child support order in Florida.
What Is a Child Support Order
A child support order in Florida is the court document that determines how much money one parent has to pay the other. This payment is intended to help support the child financially. It’s often based on the income of both parents. Other factors are often used towards this amount, such as if the child is disabled or has medical concerns. The order determines who pays the support and who receives it. It also determines how much is to be paid, when, and the frequency of payments.
What Is the Process for Modifying a Child Support Order?
A child support order can be reviewed for modification by the courts as long as some conditions are met. The first is that the current order is enforceable for longer than six months from the time you place the request. The second is that you haven’t had it reviewed or changed in the previous three years. The final condition is that you can show that there was a big change that impacts your finances. Some examples of this would be if the child becomes disabled or if there is a significant change in income of the parties involved.
Other Conditions That Can Result in a Change
There can be other reasons why a child support order is changed in Florida. One is to remove or add a child from the order. An example would be if there are several children involved in the order, and one is no longer a dependent. Another reason that an order can be changed is to extend the time period. An example here would be if a child doesn’t pass a grade, and will remain in high school longer than expected when the order was written. Also, an order can be changed if medical support needs to be added or removed from the order. An example here would be if there’s a change in the child’s health.
How Long Does it Take?
The overall period for the review and implementing any changes is about six months. Once your review is finished, you’ll be notified of the decision. The courts will then be working on implementing the change in the order.
What Do You Need to Change A Child Support Order?
The main thing that you will need to have to change a child support order is documentation. You need to be able to document the changes. They need to see a diagnosis if a medical reason is behind the requested review. The reviewers need to see the paperwork regarding your lost job or increased salary. They may also require you to fill out and return forms for the review process. Be sure to always complete and return these forms right away to not slow your review down or have it decided against you.
What Happens If You’re the Parent Paying Child Support?
Either parent may go through the process for requesting that there be a change to the child support order. Parents that are paying out child support because they are the non-custodial parent can also have changes in their finances that can necessitate going through this process. For instance, the loss of your job through layoffs can have a significant impact on your finances. This event may make it impossible for you to continue paying the amount that was determined previously. You have the same right to go through the review process to reduce the amount you’re paying for your child.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
A lawyer can always be helpful in a situation where one parent is seeking to change child support order agreements that were made in regards to the children. A custodial parent may seek out a modification to the amount of child support being paid to them because of changes in the financial circumstances of the parents. A non-custodial parent can also want to have the amount of child support changed based on differences. A lawyer is helpful because they can guide you through the process while advising you as to what is in your child’s best interests.
Are you considering asking the courts to change child support order in Florida? Lewert Law, LLC is here to help. Contact us today to learn about how we can assist you with your child support case. You deserve to receive the financial help you need to raise your child. Let us help you change a child support order.
