Divorced parents pay child support to meet their kids’ needs as before. The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program in Alabama helps families obtain orders for child support payment and comply with court orders. This makes it easy for them to apply for child support services and follow up on payments.
The state determines the correct child support amount based on a child’s needs and the parent’s ability. However, in the future, you may want to change this amount – possibly you can longer afford it or would like to pay more.
Here are two tips for child support modifications that may increase the chances of your request being approved.
Have records of changes
It will help to have evidence that supports the reason why you would like to modify the child support amount. Thus, have records that depict you lost your job, your career is or is not performing well, you got a promotion or a raise, you had another child or you have an illness. If you would like to increase the amount because of changes in your child’s needs, you may document the new expenses.
Further, you should have records of all the child support payments you’ve made. This proves you are responsible, but unavoidable circumstances have motivated you to request the modification, that is, if you want to reduce the amount.
Request an alteration sooner
You should request a modification sooner, especially when you can no longer pay the stated amount. Waiting longer can lead to unpaid child support, which may disadvantage you when making a request. Nonetheless, before the new child support order is issued, try as much as you can to observe the existing one.
Child support modifications are more common and possible than some parents believe. If your financial circumstances change, consider your options to make necessary modifications.
