Court Order Modifications

Has your child custody or child support order become outdated? Or, is your ex saying these orders need to be updated but you disagree?

Finalized divorce settlements and court orders are not always the final say in child custody and support matters. In certain cases, it becomes necessary to update or modify an existing order when the circumstances of the parents or child change.

At Burns Smith Law, PC, we guide our clients through the modifications process. To learn how our lawyers can help you obtain — or fight against — a modification, contact us for a consultation to discuss your options.

Helping Your Children Get The Financial Support They Need

Your original child support arrangement might have seemed ironclad when it was issued, but courts are sometimes amenable to changing support orders when circumstances have changed. Maybe you have lost your job or source of income. Maybe your ex-spouse has come into some money. Or maybe your children have additional medical or schooling expenses that were not accounted for in the original child support order.

When child support modification is on the table, the key is to have an experienced family law attorney at your side. At Burns Smith Law, PC, our experienced family law attorneys can evaluate your situation and help you argue for or against a support modification. We can help you make smart decisions for you and your children and argue persuasively to a court on your behalf.

What Circumstances Warrant A Modification?

Georgia only allows changes to divorce decrees and family law orders when there is a compelling reason. To support a request for a child support modification, you will have to prove that one of the parent’s financial circumstances, or the child’s needs, changed significantly. Requests for child support modifications may be based on:

• Job loss or decreased income of the paying parent
• Substantial increase in income for the recipient
• Increased health care costs of the child

Child custody and visitation modifications may be necessary when:

• One parent plans to relocate
• A child over the age of 14 wants to change his or her primary residence
• A parent is exposing a child to situations or environments that are not in the child’s best interests; this may include safety issues or drug or alcohol abuse

Is your ex-spouse failing to follow a court order? We can help you enforce the order through a contempt action.

Talk To An Attorney About Modifications In Canton

When you need to change or update a court order, contact us to discuss opportunities for modification. We offer no-obligation initial consultations. Call 770-956-1400 to get started.