When Circumstances Change: Modifications Of Court Orders
After a divorce, it is not uncommon for circumstances to change quickly as ex-spouses move on and start their new lives. Sometimes, your divorce settlement agreement and the court-ordered terms of your divorce decree might need to change to adapt to these life changes.
The Gwinnett County modification lawyer at Fox Firm, P.C., has been a litigator since 1995. Firm founder Doug Fox has been helping families in the greater Atlanta metro area navigate family law matters and divorce proceedings for decades. If you are divorced and you need to seek a modification of your divorce decree, he can help you assess your situation, advise you on the necessary steps and represent you should you decide to pursue a modification.
When Are Modifications To A Court Order Necessary?
During settlement negotiations in a divorce, parties work out the terms regarding who has custody, what the parenting plan and visitation schedules look like, how much has to be paid in child support, and how much is to be paid in spousal support. These agreements are meant to be permanent.
However, sometimes, changes may be necessary in the future to keep the agreement in working order. A change in income, future relationships and medical conditions are all potential triggers that make modifications a necessary step. Specifically, custody modifications or support modifications might be necessary in any of the following scenarios:
- A child becomes emancipated
- A child requires additional medical care or assisted living
- The mental condition of an ex-spouse deteriorates
- An ex-spouse is dealing with substance abuse, making living conditions at a parent’s house dangerous for the child
- A new job or career for an ex-spouse substantially increases their income
- An ex-spouse experiences an involuntary job loss
- An ex-spouse becomes unable to work
- An ex-spouse gets remarried
If your facts and circumstances have changed and you think that a modification of your decree may be appropriate, a Gwinnett County modification lawyer can help you apply for and obtain a modification to your divorce agreement.
Can You Choose A New Lawyer For Your Modification?
If you are considering pursing a modification of your divorce decree or other family law court order, it is not necessary to use the same lawyer that you used for the original proceeding. If you had a good rapport with your original lawyer and you trust them to handle your new issue in an efficient and effective manner, then it might make sense to use the same attorney.
However, sometimes choosing a new lawyer to handle your modification petition can provide you with an advantage. A new advocate can bring a fresh perspective to your case. A new attorney might also be able to handle opposing counsel more effectively.
Schedule A Consultation With A Gwinnett County Modification Attorney
Attorney Fox is available for initial consultation appointments. At an initial consultation, you can speak with him about your specific situation, and ask questions about your potential case. He can let you know whether he thinks you are eligible to seek a modification of your existing court order. If you haven’t worked with him before, he will also tell you more about how he handles his caseload and how he would approach your situation.
To schedule an appointment at Fox Firm, P.C., send a message through the firm’s website or call the office at 770-341-4882.