Columbia County Divorce Modification Lawyer

A divorce is permanent, but the other associated outcomes of child custody, child visitation, and support may need to be altered to match the changing finances and schedules of all parties involved. If you are planning to ask the New York courts for a divorce modification, it is important you get guidance from a knowledgeable Columbia County divorce attorney. The Colwell Law Group, LLC is here to represent you so that the outcomes of any changes made are in your best interests.

Modifications to Child Support

As children grow up, the financial costs of raising them change. According to CNN the average middle-class family with two children spends $233,610 to raise a child up until college. Furthermore, as children age, the cost of feeding them, transportation, health-care, and educational opportunities increases. All of these factors are reasons to make changes to child support as the child grows up. Changes can be made to child support in New York if:

• Three years have passed since it was last created or adjusted;
• There have been significant changes to one parent’s financial situation or to the child’s needs; or
• There has been a 15 percent or more cut to one parent’s income and they are looking for a higher paying job again.

Modifications to Alimony

According to Association of the Bar of the City of New York alimony can be changed, or terminated, if one spouse’s financial situation changes significantly. Reasons for this include end of child support, loss of a job, re-marriage, a significant raise or change of employment, health concerns, and more. It is possible to request a modification and have it go the opposite way that you anticipate because the court will revisit all of the financial factors pertaining to the spousal support. It is in your best interest to seek the advice of an experienced divorce modification lawyer before filing for changes to your alimony.

Modifications to Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody does not just determine who has physical care of the child; it also determines who can make choices on behalf of the child. If one parent has sole custody then they are allowed to make decisions related to the child’s medical care, religious upbringing, and educational development. Child visitation allows the non-custodial parent, grandparents, and siblings to have time with the child, as long as it is in the child’s best interests. Reasons to reevaluate custody and visitation rights include:

• Visitation time or custodial parent is putting the child at risk of domestic abuse;
• The current visitation schedule is being violated;
• One parent is relocating, which could make visitation harder or disrupt the child’s schedule;
• Child’s home life has become unstable; and
• Other reasons the custody or visitation rights no longer are in the best interest of the child.

Contact The Colwell Law Group With Your Custody, Visitation, and Support Concerns

If you are concerned that the agreements made at the time of your divorce are no longer equitable or in your child’s best interests it is important to speak up. The divorce modification attorneys at the Colwell Law Group in Columbia County are prepared to help you put together a solid case for why changes need to be made. Having an experienced lawyer advising you will and fighting aggressively on your behalf will greatly increase the likelihood of your requests going in your favor. Contact our offices at 518-300-4487 for a free initial consultation.

Get The Best Outcome For Your Children

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