Life happens. Sometimes it is a happy occasion, the birth of a child, a promotion, or you win the lottery. Other times, it is a major medical complication, loss of employment, or other potentially devastating events. What does one do when confronted with hard times? If you are a non-custodial parent, it can add complications when budgeting for child support. A trusted St. Louis family law attorney could help guide you through this unfortunate chapter in your life.
Child support and alimony are based on multiple factors. These include, but are not limited to, length of the marriage, financial dependency of your former spouse, age of children, medical needs of both your children and former spouse, housing, and education. However, your needs are also part of the equation. How much is your car payment, what is your rent or mortgage, do you have medical expenses. The court does not expect you to spend more on support and maintenance than your monthly salary. So, if you find yourself in a rough patch that is unlikely to change, your family law attorney may be able to petition the court to lower your obligations.
You cannot simply cease to pay child support. However, the courts recognize non-custodial parents have expenses and must be able to provide for themselves. If you find yourself out of work, or in some other bind, contact your lawyer immediately. Your Missouri family law attorney can petition the court to reopen your parenting plan.
At this point, it may seem hard; how do you justify paying for an attorney when you are facing financial difficulty? There is no easy answer, but the truth is, your lawyer will work with you and help reshape your plan. If your former spouse is now working, you may be able to lessen your alimony. Maintenance is designed to give a dependent spouse time to get on their feet. Speak to your lawyer and see if they believe the court may lower maintenance in response to changing circumstances.
Financial troubles are scary and are something most adults will experience at some point in their lives. The worst thing you can do is ignore the problem. Face it head-on, protect your rights and access to your children. If you are facing hard times, reach out to your trusted Saint Louis Family law attorney and get the advice and counsel that can help alleviate your burden; and, most importantly, guarantee that you do not face more difficulty through inaction.
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
Unlike general practice attorneys who occasionally handle divorces, our firm brings specialized knowledge and experience…
At The Betz Law Firm, we've helped numerous clients navigate the complexities of spousal support…
Located in Webster Groves, we specialize in compassionate, personalized family law services for clients in…
At The Betz Law Firm, we understand that property division is one of the most…
We help clients throughout St. Louis City and County navigate both negotiated settlements and courtroom…
We’ve helped many clients—including those identifying as non-binary, transgender, and gender-expansive—successfully navigate Missouri’s name change…