California Child Support Modification Attorney - John S. Yohanan

In the years following the dissolution of a marriage, changing family and financial circumstances can make existing child support or spousal support orders unfair.

In child support cases you need to support your request for an increasing or reducing payments with a showing of changed circumstances. These can include:

• Obligations to support a child from a different marriage or relationship
• Change in the amount of visitation time a non-custodial parent spends with the supported child or children
• Change in the medical or educational circumstances of the supported child
• Significant change in the receiving spouse's income
• Involuntary loss of employment by the paying spouse

Spousal support modification can be requested through the period covered by the court order granting alimony. Because spousal support is increasingly limited in time to cover only the time period reasonably necessary for the receiving spouse to become financially self-sufficient, requests to extend the time to receive alimony must be made within the period identified in the court order, and must be supported by sound reasons.

Alimony obligations always stop with the remarriage of the supported spouse. Other reasons that might justify an increase or reduction of spousal support are:

• Cohabitation of the supported spouse with a significant other
• Supported spouse's failure to make reasonable efforts to achieve self-sufficiency
• Retirement of the supporting spouse at age 65 or later

If you need to consider an increase or wish to seek a reduction in support for an existing California child support order or spousal support order, consult with an experienced Bay Areas family law attorney to ensure you understand the circumstances and conditions under which you can petition for a modification of a support order.

I am John S. Yohanan, a family lawyer with more than 30 years of experience in California family court, handling modification petitions to increase or reduce alimony or child support obligations. I can provide you with sound legal advice and strategic insight into your situation.

For additional information about your ability to seek and obtain a favorable modification of your current position with respect to spousal support or child support, contact my San Jose law office.