Child support is one of the most frequent and sometimes contentious of the many issues that arise during divorce resolution. While the assessment of any child support obligation depends on several elements, generally, the parent who does not have primary parenting time with the child will often be ordered to pay support by the court.
However, there may be a range of circumstances in which the original child support amount ordered by the court or agreed upon by both parties is no longer tenable or suits your children’s needs. When this happens, it may be necessary to seek a modification of the existing child support amount. Whether you are a parent paying or receiving child support, it may be time to consult with a Toronto child support modification lawyer if you find yourself in this scenario.
A knowledgeable child support lawyer at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm could help you better understand whether your current circumstances support a modification or advise whether you may have grounds to fight back against a request for revision from your former spouse or partner.
It is essential to understand that a range of factors can affect the child support amount that you or your former partner may be required to pay in the aftermath of the dissolution of the relationship. As stated previously, in most cases, the parent with whom the child resides primarily will be the parent that receives child support payments. This support is designed to cover the child’s needs that both parents share the financial responsibility for, including:
Several core elements will determine the final child support amount, including:
Altering an existing child support agreement in Toronto is possible, but the court typically only approves such modification requests in limited circumstances—making it essential to have an accomplished lawyer at your side throughout the process.
There are a few scenarios in which a dedicated Toronto lawyer could help you request a child support modification. Your initial support order may no longer be suitable, whether due to a notable shift in:
For example, suppose the underlying parenting plan is altered, and the parent who was originally paying child support is now the one with whom the child resides most of the time. In that case, this could warrant a modification to the original support amount.
Likewise, suppose the child faces an unexpected alteration in their circumstances, such as a medical diagnosis accompanied by ongoing and unforeseen expenses. In that case, this could be a plausible reason to request a change in the support amount. Another example where the court may approve a modification request is when the parent paying support is faced with a material change to their income, which could raise or slash the amount of support they could be obliged to pay.
Child support modification cases can be extremely complicated, particularly if the parties involved disagree on the proposed outcome. Even if you and your former partner agree that modifying the existing child support agreement is warranted, it is prudent to retain a Toronto child support modification lawyer who could guide you through each step and ensure all procedures and requirements are followed.
Whether communicating with your former spouse’s lawyer or advocating your case before the court, a qualified legal professional could handle all the details of your case while making sure that the financial needs and best interests of your child remain the chief and foremost concern at the heart of all negotiations or legal arguments.
Call now to discuss your case with one of our skilled lawyers and determine what next steps may be possible for your child support modification matter.
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