Washington County, PA Divorce Agreement Modification Attorneys
Divorce is a life-changing event. It may be a positive change or a traumatic time. Either way, you're likely glad it's over with and all matters are settled -- like child support, division of property and assets, alimony, and child custody. Unfortunately, however, you may have to revisit your divorce agreement later in life if your or your ex-spouse's circumstances change. This is called "divorce agreement modification."
A divorce agreement modification must be filed with the courts. The attorneys at DeRiso Law Groupo can walk you through this process, consulting with you to make sure your divorce modification request is valid as well as filing the proper paperwork. Contact us today for more information about changing your original divorce decree.
Common Reasons for Divorce Agreement Modification
In order to obtain a divorce agreement modification, you (or your ex, or your child) must have a major change in life circumstances. This holds true in Washington County, across Pennsylvania, and the entire country. It's important to note that typically a substantial amount of time should pass between your original divorce decree and a modification request. Otherwise, the court may question why the issues weren't included in the original agreement, and there's a chance your request could be denied.
Common life situations requiring a divorce agreement modification include:
- Change in child's educational or medical needs, resulting in major financial adjustment
- Increase or decrease in either party's income
- Remarriage of either party
- Either spouse moving a long distance, resulting in change in visitation or support
- Any need to substantially modify custodial or visitation rights
- Circumstances causing a threat to child's well-being (neglect, alcohol or drug abuse, domestic violence)
Remember, even if your relationship with your ex-spouse is friendly, don't make any informal changes to your agreement without a court order. Even if you both consent to follow the plan, if things change in the future, you may face big problems. For example, if your spouse decides down the road that he or she isn't happy with the informal agreement, you may have no legal recourse. So, it's crucial you speak to your divorce modification attorney to start the formal process.
What Happens Next
If you and your ex-spouse can come to mutual agreement on the terms of a modification, your attorney can write up and file an order without having to go to court. A judge will sign off and the new agreement will override the original. If you are unable to come to a compromise, however, the judge (or even a jury) will have to settle the matter for you. Consult with the divorce attorneys at DeRiso Law Group for assistance.
Washington County, PA Attorneys Can Help
If you need to file a divorce agreement modification, our law firm can assist and ensure everything is handled in an expert manner. Call our office at (412) 452-9712 or contact us online. We offer flexible scheduling and an initial consultation.
