Modification And Enforcement Of Child Custody And Support Agreements
Your circumstances may change after divorce, creating a need to change your child custody and/or support order. At O'Connor Family Law, P.C., we can help you advocate for and manage those changes. No matter what side of the petition you’re on, your ideal outcome is our ideal outcome and we will work diligently to help you seek it.
Common Reasons For Custody Or Support Modifications
A few of those reasons include:
- You or your ex are moving out of state or out of the country
- You or your ex move in with or get married to a new partner
- You or your ex lose your job and no longer have a steady income
- You or your ex get a big promotion or raise
- One of your kids has a critical health emergency or accident
- You or your ex develop a severe physical or mental health problem
- Something happens where you or your ex can no longer provide the appropriate care for your children
- One of your kids needs extra support at school or home
- You or your ex decide to leave or join a new faith
You may also face a problem when an ex does not comply with a court order concerning visitation or giving you the property you were awarded in your divorce. In situations like these, our Chicago-based attorneys at O'Connor Family Law, P.C., can help, even if we didn’t represent you in your divorce. We can assist you if you need to modify or enforce your child custody or child support agreements in Cook County or anywhere in Illinois.
An attorney from our law firm can help you throughout the process of modifying or enforcing a court order. First, we will evaluate your circumstances and determine if you are entitled to make a change. Then, we will guide you through the court system to get you what you are entitled to.
Answering Your Questions About Custody, Support And Alimony
As you enter into child custody and support and spousal support negotiations, you may have questions about how these negotiations could affect you and your future. We’ve provided answers to some of the most common ones we hear from our clients:
Will the amount of child support I pay or receive change when the new child support law takes effect?
It can all depend on your specific circumstances. Contact us today if you want to learn more.
How much should I be paying in child support?
That can depend on several factors, like how much money you make, how many children you have and the current cost of living. We can help you look at your monthly child support payments using the state of Illinois’ child support payment calculator.
Can I modify child support if I lose my job or my income declines?
You can petition the court to modify your child support payments. To successfully do so, you need to demonstrate how your loss of employment or lower income makes it more difficult for you to support your children adequately on top of your basic expenses.
Can I change my parenting schedule if my kids are older and want to spend more time with me?
You can request modifications to your parenting plan when life circumstances change. However, you and your ex must agree on the change to make the adjustments officially. If your spouse doesn’t conform to the change, we can take your case to court and make a compelling case for it.
My new spouse was transferred to another state. Can I move and take the children?
Before you can make a significant move like this and take the children with you, you typically need to petition the court and reach an agreement with your ex about the move’s details.
Can I stop paying spousal support if my ex moves in with another person?
While you still need to petition the court for this request, an ex-spouse moving in with a new partner can be solid grounds for terminating spousal support.
Can I obtain full custody of my children if my ex has adopted an unhealthy lifestyle?
To do so, you would typically need to prove to the court that their unhealthy lifestyle is posing a threat to your children’s well-being and that your ex’s issues leave them unable to care for your children adequately.
Can my ex stop visitation if I am behind on child support payments?
No, this typically isn’t the case. However, you can face other legal consequences if you fall behind on payments for at least four months. We can help you manage these complex matters when they arise.
How can I force my ex to live up to their child support responsibilities?
If your ex refuses to pay child support, you can bring these matters to court and request that they garnish your ex’s wages for the appropriate monthly amount of child support payments you need.
Schedule A Consultation With Us Today
You can arrange an initial consultation about modification or enforcement of custody and support orders with our Chicago lawyers by calling 312-445-0577 or by emailing us.