A Family Law Firm in Lee’s Summit MO represents clients who are under court order to pay spousal support or child support and can no longer afford those payments. Financial circumstances can change for the worse with little to no warning. A person can be laid off for several months or have their job eliminated altogether. It may be impossible to find work with similar wages immediately. A severe health problem can develop, resulting in a temporary or permanent disability.
Petitioning for a Modification
The person who has been ordered to pay this support must petition the court for a modification. In the case of spousal support, it may be possible to convince a judge to end those payments. In the 21st Century, spousal support generally is considered temporary, allowing the lower-income ex-spouse to find gainful employment or complete training for a job that pays a living wage.
Financial Disclosure
The client of a Family Law Firm in Lee’s Summit MO who wants an adjustment to the support order must provide full documentation of their current financial situation. The court expects to see W-2, 1099 forms,and tax returns. Unfortunately, these probably will not provide insight into a change that has happened within the past six months. The individual will need to provide bank statements showing all deposits as well as information about unemployment compensation. Financial disclosure forms must be completed and signed.
Convincing a Judge
Not all judges are easily persuaded to modify these orders, which is why it’s crucial to be represented by an organization such as Dana Outlaw Law Office. A judge might feel that a person who was able to earn $80,000 in 2017 should be able to do so in 2018 and the years to come even if the job was lost. An experienced attorney may use various points of research to support the client’s case.
That might include verifying the downturn in employment opportunities for the client’s previous occupation. Although the Blue Springs region has a strong economy, some of the higher-paying jobs have experienced a sharp reduction in their numbers due to automation and outsourcing to other countries. You can also visit them on Facebook.
