San Jose Child Support Modification Lawyer

Santa Clara Spousal Support Modification Attorney

In the years following the dissolution of a marriage, changing family and financial circumstances can make existing child support or spousal support orders unfair. If your situation has changed and you want to modify a child or spousal support order, you need experienced and skilled legal counsel.

At the law office of John S. Yohanan, I can provide you with sound legal advice and strategic insight into your situation

Contact a San Jose child support modification attorney at my family law firm to discuss your options. I offer free initial consultations.

Modifying Child Support Orders

In child support cases, you need to show a substantial change in your circumstances in order to increase or reduce your payments. I have had success helping clients looking to modify their child support when new circumstances arise, including:

• New obligations to support a child from a different marriage or relationship
• Change in the amount of visitation time a noncustodial 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 or Alimony Modifications

Spousal support is limited to cover only the time period reasonably necessary for the receiving spouse to become financially self-sufficient. As a result, 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 can include:

• Supported spouse cohabits 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

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. 

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, contact an experienced Santa Clara spousal support modification attorney to ensure you understand the circumstances and conditions under which you can petition for a modification of a support order.