Explaining Divorce Modification

The last year has taught us life can change in a snap. As time ticks, aspects of your life can morph and alter. This can especially happen after a divorce.

After the bell tolls for the “Final Judgment of the Dissolution of Marriage,” people tend to believe you are stuck with the terms of the divorce…not necessarily. When family dynamics change, divorce decrees, as they relate to child support, spousal support, and child custody, can often be modified to reflect these adjustments.

Our Westlake Village modification attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi can help you understand these circumstances and your options, providing a fresh and clear perspective for you to proceed down the best possible path.

What is a divorce modification?

Divorce modifications change a divorce decree to reflect substantial and continuing changes of circumstances. Issues related to the care of minor children, drastic changes in income, or relocation to another state can all be reasonable circumstances to modify a divorce decree.

Three types of divorce modifications

The flexibility of modifying certain provisions of a divorce decree usually allows the terms to work best for all the parties involved.

Three main provisions that are most often modified include:

• Spousal support: Changes with employment, health, standards of living, earning capacity, and financial need are circumstances for modification. Usually, it takes litigation to modify, but spouses can also resolve without court intervention.
• Child support: A significant change in income, losing a job, getting a big raise, coming into money, and increasing or decreasing assets can all be evaluated in modification.
• Child custody: Relocation or a significant change in a living situation can be cause for modifications. Parents with less parenting time who want to increase the time spent with a child can also seek a modification.

Who to turn to when things change?

If you or your former spouse are going through life changes—relocating to another state or major adjustments in income—the terms of your divorce decree may need to be modified concerning child custody, visitation, child, and spousal support. Our legal guidance can help you and your family achieve these modifications and continue to thrive under the court’s rulings.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact the Westlake Village divorce modification lawyers of the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi for a consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 805-379-4550.