Things to Do If You Need Higher Support Payments
Life changes, and sometimes those changes mean that existing support payments no longer meet your needs. Whether you’re receiving child support, alimony, or both, it’s important to know that New Jersey law does allow for modifications in certain circumstances. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, talk to a Somerset County family lawyer about how to request higher support payments.
Why Might You Need Higher Payments?
There are many reasons why someone might seek an increase in child support or alimony, including:
- Increased expenses for a child’s education or medical care
- A significant rise in the cost of living
- Loss of income due to job loss, illness, or injury
- The paying party’s income has substantially increased
- Changes in a child’s needs as they age
In New Jersey, support orders are not set in stone. Life doesn’t stay the same and neither do financial demands. Fortunately, the courts recognize this and provide a path for seeking a modification. You can request a modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The key is that the change must be meaningful and not temporary.
For example, if a child is now involved in more expensive extracurricular activities or you’ve experienced a significant decrease in income, a modification may be in reach. When the person paying support has received a promotion, new job, or windfall a shift could be approved as well. The court will require documentation, such as tax returns, pay stubs, medical bills, or educational expenses, to evaluate whether the change justifies a new support amount.
Are All Support Payments Monthly?
While monthly support payments are the most common, they are not the only option. Courts may order support on a weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly basis depending on how the paying party is paid. In rare cases (such as with high-asset divorce settlements) lump-sum alimony may be awarded, though this is less common.
The frequency of payments can also be modified to accommodate changing financial situations, but the overall amount still must be fair and sufficient to meet the recipient’s needs.
Increases can apply to both child support and alimony, but the criteria for modification are evaluated separately. Child support is primarily based on the child’s needs and both parents’ incomes. As those needs and incomes change, so can the support amount. Alimony (spousal support) is based on the recipient’s need and the payer’s ability to pay. If your financial situation has changed significantly since the original order, an increase may be warranted.
An experienced Somerset County family lawyer can review your case, advise you on whether a modification is likely, and help you file the proper motion. Modifications are not retroactive to when your financial situation changed. They begin when you file, so don’t delay.
Need more support? Contact the legal team at the Law Offices of Kisha M. Hebbon, LLC to find out if seeking an increase in your New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway, Edison, Somerset County, or Middlesex County support payments is possible. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
