Disability may present need for child support modification

On Behalf of | Jun 4, 2018 | Family Law |

It is common for a custodial parent to need financial assistance in caring for his or her children. In most cases, this assistance comes in the form of child support payments from the noncustodial parent. However, some changes in circumstances could have Alabama parents reconsidering their support terms.

One issue that could greatly impact child support is if a parent develops a disability. Whether physical or mental, a disability could greatly impact a person’s ability to work. As a result, if a parent becomes disabled and needs time off from work or can no longer work, it may become difficult to meet the same support terms that were ordered at the time of the divorce. If so, support modifications may be needed in hopes of addressing the issues.

The modification could depend heavily on whether the disability is considered temporary or permanent. In cases of temporary disability, the court may enact a temporary order that modifies support terms for the time the parent remains disabled. When the disability is considered permanent, a permanent modification may take place. In these cases, the court will likely review any disability payments and income the disabled parent may be receiving in order to come to a new support amount.

If a parent needs to seek modifications in order to lower support payments due to a disability, it can be a stressful process. Alabama residents who have concerns in this area may want to find out what steps need to be taken to pursue child support modifications. Enlisting the help of knowledgeable attorneys could help interested individuals better understand their options.

Source: thebalance.com, “Disability and Child Support“, Debrina Washington, April 29, 2018

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