Child Abuse and Substance Abuse Attorneys

Court Orders Can Be Changed

Child support may be modified — either upward or downward — if either parent’s financial circumstances change significantly. Spousal support or alimony can be modified based on income change. Child custody and visitation arrangements may be modified in order to protect the best interests of the child, and enforcement may be necessary. The experienced lawyers of HALE BALL MURPHY, PLC are available to provide legal representation, whether you are interested in making changes to a court order or you want to prevent changes from being made.

Experienced in High-Conflict Family Law Cases

Divorce decree modifications can be as contentious as the original divorce proceedings. Financial investigations may be necessary to prove or fight against a request for a child support modification or spousal support modification. We may need to obtain expert opinions from child psychologists in order to build a case for or against modification of a child custody or visitation agreement, particularly if that modification involves relocation.

In order to make a change, the party requesting it must be able to prove that there has been a material change in circumstances since the court order was entered. The loss of job may not be sufficient. The other side may argue that unemployment or underemployment is voluntary, in which case a modification may not be allowed. Our lawyers have been handling these cases for decades, so we understand the nuances involved. Regardless of your situation, you can be confident in our ability to help you achieve your goals.

Attorneys Handling Modification and Enforcement

A request for modification may stem from attempts at enforcement. One side may not have been complying with child custody and visitation orders, child support orders or other orders. However, it is possible that there were legitimate reasons for the lack of compliance. No one is exempt from the possibility of child custody cases, even celebrities. We may seek a modification in order to ensure compliance in the future. Even the occasional sperm donor can be on the hook for child support, so if your child’s other parent is not cooperating, contact an attorney for help. Our law firm provides legal counsel regarding family law matters in northern Virginia. This includes child custody and visitation, custody enforcement, and a number of other areas.