4 Reasons to Pursue a Child Support Adjustment

Funds from child support payments are an important part of ensuring the financial well-being of children post-separation, and many parents rely on these funds to pay for housing, food, and other essentials. But it is also true that circumstances change over time, and what may have been an appropriate child support arrangement initially may later no longer reflect the current needs and realities of both parents and children.
Life is constantly changing, and current child support arrangements need to reflect the circumstance of the parents and children today, which could mean a child support adjustment is necessary. If you find yourself in a situation where financial circumstances have significantly changed, it is crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced Bucks County family attorney.
#1 Financial Shifts
It is common for financial situations to fluctuate over time, and this is a reality for both custodial and non-custodial parents. A significant change in income can affect the ability of a paying parent to meet child support obligations, or the parent receiving payments may need more support because of a change in their own circumstances. Some common financial situation changes that might warrant a support adjustment include the following.
- Income reduction. When a paying parent experiences a substantial decrease in income, either from job loss, reduced work hours, or changes in employment circumstances, they may no longer be able to afford the original child support amount.
- Increase in resources. On the other hand, if the paying parent experiences an income boost, it may be necessary to increase funds to fairly distribute child rearing expenses.
- Employment benefit changes. If one of the parents experiences a big shift in their employment benefits, such as now having access to healthcare coverage, it could also impact the overall financial situation and lead to a child support modification.
#2 Changes in Custody Arrangements
Heavily influenced by the custody arrangements, child support payments may need to be adjusted if there is a change from joint custody to sole custody or vice versa. Additionally, if one parent is now spending significantly more time with the child, it may impact their financial responsibilities and the amount of support they receive.
#3 Extraordinary Expenses
Designed to cover basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter, child support payments may not be high enough if a child has additional expenses, such as education, medical needs, extracurricular activities, and other extraordinary costs. If such expenses were not considered when the initial child support determination was made, it might be necessary to work with a Bucks County family attorney in order to seek an adjustment to ensure these additional needs are adequately addressed.
#4 Changes in Child’s Needs
As children grow and develop, their needs evolve too. If the current needs of a child were not present or anticipated during the initial child support arrangement, a modification may be necessary to ensure the child’s well-being is prioritized.
Has there been a change and you believe your child support amount should be adjusted to reflect that change? Talk to the legal team at Kevin L. Hand, P.C. Call 215-968-6602 to schedule your consultation today.