Fort Worth Custody and Support Modification Lawyers Compassionately Assisting With Your Case

Many believe that the trials and tribulations of a divorce case are over after the case has been settled and everything has been appropriated and agreed upon. However, situations may arise in your life or your ex-spouse’s life that requires an alteration to the terms of the divorce. These modifications may affect the custody of a child, including visitation rights and the amount of alimony a parent is required to pay. If you are concerned about a situation that may affect child custody or alimony, you may want to seek counsel from a Tarrant County family law attorney that can assure you of your rights.

What Situations Cause a Change in Child Custody?

A modification of a child custody agreement is not something to take lightly. It’s important to know when you can ask for or challenge a modification request. These are common situations that may end up with a modification to the child custody agreement:

• Loss of Employment for the Primary Caregiver – If the primary caregiver of the child loses their job, it can be contended that their situation is no longer optimal for the livelihood of the child. In these cases, consulting with a family law attorney may be beneficial in planning your next steps.
• Change in the Health of the Child – When a child’s health is jeopardized or deteriorates, a reassessment of their living situation may be conducted in order to do what is best for them. That is not to say that the reason the child’s health has diminished has to do with the parenting or living condition provided by the primary caregiver, but the child may be better suited to have their custody agreement modified for other reasons including better proximity to healthcare.
• Relocation of a Primary Caregiver – As life goes on, many adults will change residencies, whether near or far. The primary caregiver of a child might need to relocate at some point. This relocation may affect many aspects of the child’s life, including their education. Depending on the child’s age, they may also have a preference for where they live in the future. In some cases, the child may prefer to live with the other parent rather than moving with the primary caregiver. Consulting with a family law attorney from Tarrant County to see what modification options are right for your family may be beneficial in the long run.

Is My Child’s Safety Cause for Modification of Custody?

Your child’s well-being is the most critical priority in any modification of custody request. If you believe your child is being neglected, abused, or their quality of life has diminished, you may have cause to request a custody modification. In some cases, the primary caregiver may not follow the order of a granted modification for the aforementioned reasons. In instances like this, the primary caregiver may be fined or imprisoned for failing to follow the modification.

What Causes a Modification to Child Support?

Texas law recognizes that, over time, financial needs and circumstances change. Major life events often qualify for substantial change in modification cases. Some factors the court may consider when determining whether or not to grant a modification include:

• An increase or decrease in income of the parent ordered to pay support
• Loss of employment
• A change in the educational/health needs of a child
• A child now lives with the support-paying parent
• It becomes more expensive to visit the child (Ex. out of state custody)
• To make sure your child support is set at a realistic amount, provide as much information as you can to the Office of the Attorney General or the court about your financial situation.
• If you cannot pay the full amount one month, you should still pay something. A partial payment shows that you are making an effort. You should also call the child support office handling your case to explain your situation.
• Ask for a review of your case if your income changes substantially or if you lose your job.
• If you fail to pay child support, it will only make things worse. Past-due child support doesn’t go away. The OAG can collect past-due support even after the child becomes an adult. Interest is charged on unpaid child support.
• If your child comes to live with you, notify your local child support office to request a change of status. Keep paying child support until the court orders that you are no longer required to do so.

Can An Attorney Help Me in Modifying My Child Custody or Support?

Divorce can linger long after it becomes finalized on paper. Situations are fluid and sometimes they can be outside of your control. When these situations affect your child’s well-being, you may need to seek modifications of custody or alimony to aid them.

Hardy Law Group, PLLC can help make things right for you and your child. By calling (817) 222-0000, you can set up a free consultation to make sure you’re getting the right help for your child. Hardy Law Group, PLLC has experience in child support and child custody modification so families can maintain a sense of calm when dealing with whatever life throws at them.