After parents divorce, their financial or other circumstances may change over the months or years following the divorce. When the financial or living situation change substantially, they may want to pursue a modification to the divorce orders for child and spousal support or parenting time and responsibility.
Typically, the court will not entertain changes to a custody order (parenting time agreement) for the first two years after the original order. However, a modification in the parenting time agreement may be appropriate sooner in cases of a parent relocation or when a parent can demonstrate that the current order creates a physically or emotionally harmful environment for the child. It is important to discuss your concerns regarding a modification with an experienced Illinois family law attorney.
Modifications to spousal maintenance or child support can occur if there has been a substantial change in the payer’s income. Changes in child support may also occur if a child requires more or less support, or the parenting time arrangements have increased or decreased the amount of time a child spends with a parent. An experienced child support attorney can advise you as to whether a modification to support is possible in your situation.
Sometimes the easiest way to pursue a modification is to negotiate directly with an ex-spouse with the help of your attorney. Depending on what parents are trying to modify, a reasonable agreement between the parties with new terms may be submitted to a court for approval and will become binding to both parties.
When you have questions regarding a modification to child or spousal support or wish to make a change to your parenting time arrangements, contact the Libertyville family law attorneys of Schlesinger & Strauss LLC for immediate assistance at 847-680-4970.
