Attorney for Child Support Modification in Broward and Miami-Dade County
How Can I Pay Less Child Support?
Child Support Modification
If you have experienced a significant change in circumstances, your existing child support order may not meet your current needs. For example, your child’s health care needs might have increased, meaning you spend more each month, or you could have become permanently disabled, so you cannot meet the current obligation. Fortunately, Florida allows payees and payers to petition to modify child support agreements. Depending on the circumstances, the agreement can increase or decrease child support with a modification.
You must prove that your needs have changed substantially and meet other conditions to modify your agreement. Thus, it is helpful to have a child support modification attorney assist you with the legal process. Contact our firm to discuss your needs and see if you qualify for a modification. If you do, our firm can help you file a motion with the appropriate court.
Reasons to Modify a Child Support Agreement
A substantial change in circumstances is required to modify a child support agreement. This can include a significant:
- Decrease or increase in income
- Change in health insurance premiums
- Increase or decrease in child care expenses
- Change in the number of overnights the child spends with each parent
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Why Choose Cabanas Law Firm?
- Fully Bilingual – Our attorneys and staff are fluent in English and Spanish, so you don’t have to worry about the details getting lost in translation.
- Over Six Decades of Combined Experience – Sergio Cabanas, Esq. was admitted into the Florida Bar Association in 1991 and founded the firm in 2006. The firm’s attorneys have more than six decades of combined experience in family law.
- Clients Are the Priority – Our Broward and Miami-Dade County family law & divorce attorneys make each client a priority. We respond to all communications within 24 hours and provide concierge-level client services to busy professionals.
- Certified Mediators – As certified mediators, our attorneys can help clients resolve divorce and family law issues with as little contention as possible.
- Three Office Locations– Cabanas Law Firm has three offices in South Florida. You can meet with an attorney at our Pembroke Pines, Weston, or Sunny Isles Beach office.
Can You Request A Modification Due To Remarriage?
Getting remarried does not automatically qualify you to modify a child support order. The court does not consider the new spouse’s income when calculating child support, so you cannot petition for a modification on this alone. However, it can have an impact if other conditions are met.
For instance, assume the custodial parent remarries, and the new spouse assumes financial responsibility for all household costs. Then, the custodial parent will have more disposable income, which could reduce the amount the non-custodial parent is obligated to pay.
If you are unsure if you can petition for a modification based on remarriage, contact our firm today. Our child support modification attorney can review the circumstances of your situation to determine if you can file a motion.
How Do Additional Children Impact Child Support?
Both parties often go on to start new families after splitting up. This causes many to wonder how new children impact child support orders. If you are currently paying child support, you cannot decrease the amount because you now have more children unless special circumstances are met. For example, if a subsequent child has special needs, the judge might be willing to modify your support agreement for previous children.
Additionally, subsequent children can serve as a defense against increasing your child support payments. If you are already stretched thin, the judge is unlikely to modify the agreement to make you pay more.
Because each situation is unique, it is helpful to consult with a child support modification attorney before deciding which steps to take. Our firm can help you explore your options regarding child support and other family law matters.
Modifying Child Support After Voluntarily Quitting
While you can petition to modify a child support agreement if you are terminated, the same is not true if you voluntarily quit your job or choose to reduce your income. Instead, the court will uphold the original order, and you will be expected to meet your obligation. Unfortunately, some parents voluntarily quit or reduce their income and then refuse to pay child support. If that happens to you, our firm can assist with enforcing the existing child support order.
Extending Child Support For A Child With Special Needs
If you have a child with special needs, your original order might state that support will last for the life of the payor or the child. However, if it was not addressed in the original agreement, you can petition for a modification. You must obtain the modification before the child turns 18. After that, you cannot reopen the case and attempt to collect child support. Thus, consult with a child support modification attorney immediately to handle this for you.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Why Choose The Divorce & Mediation Law Firm
1. Highly Responsive – We strive for rapid return calls. No going dark or waiting days to hear back.
2. We Take Complex and Difficult Cases – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what’s necessary, even in challenging situations.
3. Experienced – Our attorneys have had years of experience in handling divorces for doctors, business owners, and executives, and we are 100% dedicated to divorce and family law.
4. Honesty and Transparency – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
5. Caring & Compassionate (Truly) – We have a personal connection to divorce and family law matters. We know what it takes, even in extraordinarily difficult situations.
6. Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
Meet Our Attorneys
Sergio Cabanas, Esq.
Managing Attorney & Founder
Laura Grossman, Esq.
Senior Associate Attorney
Ashanti M. Palmer, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Brian Prieto, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Professional Associations
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Service Areas
Broward County:
- Pembroke Pines
- Miramar
- Weston
- Cooper City
- Hollywood
- Davie
- Southwest Ranches
- Sunrise
- Plantation
Miami-Dade County:
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Aventura
- Golden Beach
- North Beach
- North bay Village
- Dania Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Bal Harbour
- Bay Harbor Islands
- Indian Creek
- Surfside
