Modifying Family Law Orders In Tennessee

It is not unusual for people to need to make changes to spousal support/alimony, child support or child custody after the orders are finalized. People’s income fluctuates and growing children develop different needs. Luckily, there is a way to amend these orders.

I am family law attorney G. Chance Harrison. At the law office of G. Chance Harrison, Attorney At Law, in Knoxville, I help people in East Tennessee seek or contest modifications of family law orders. Whether we handle the matter through mediation or in court, I will be by your side, advocating for your position. Please contact me today to set up an appointment.

Making Changes To Spousal Support Is Possible

Spousal support, or alimony, is meant to provide the lower-earning spouse with financial support after divorce. It is one of the most vigorously contested aspects of divorce law, and it may have been a struggle to come to an agreement in the first place. Depending on the type of alimony that was awarded, there are reasons that it may be revisited if circumstances change post-divorce. 

The most common reasons for modifying spousal support include a “significant and material change” in the person’s circumstances, such as:

• Losing a job or getting a higher-paying job
• Another type of substantial financial loss or gain
• A change in the health of one person
• The cohabitation or marriage of the recipient of the support
• A substantial change in child custody that affects the payor’s ability to pay alimony

I will review the circumstances in your case and discuss your options with you. If I think requesting an increase or decrease is not the best course of action, I will let you know right away.

How Do You Modify Child Support?

Some similar factors that are considered in spousal support modifications apply to child support as well:

• The ability of the paying parent to make child support payments
• The financial circumstances of the recipient parent (job loss or change, inheritance, bankruptcy)

There are also factors that are specific to child support, including:

• A change in the health of a child
• A change in the child’s other needs
• A child is emancipated or deceased
• A parent now has an additional child to care for
• A change in the custody agreement 

Any one of these things may be enough to warrant a modification of child support. I caution people seeking a decrease in support to get a lawyer’s advice first, however. Sometimes, the court looks into the payor’s finances and discovers that they make considerably more money now, and their financial obligations actually increase. 

Seeking Or Contesting A Change In Child Custody Arrangements

In many instances, coming to an agreement on child custody is difficult or requires considerable back and forth between the parents. Even with everyone’s best intentions and all of the details settled, though, there may be things that need to be modified in the future. 

Some of the reasons that people seek child custody modifications include:

• A change in the health of a parent or child
• A change in the child’s needs
• Dangerous living conditions, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse, at one parent’s home
• A parent repeatedly failing to follow the parenting plan
• One parent keeping the child away from the other parent
• A relocation request from one parent

I understand that being on the receiving end of a custody modification can be stressful. I also know that the reason people seek modifications is most often to protect their child’s well-being. No matter which side you are on, I will advocate for you and your child. 

Speak With Me Before You File Paperwork With The Court

You may think that you have a solid case for a modification, but it is best to have an experienced family law attorney review your case first. Just call my Knoxville office at 865-234-2138 or contact me online today to arrange an appointment to discuss your modification needs.