How to Reduce Alimony Payments
How to Reduce Alimony Payments
After a divorce, it’s common for one spouse to pay alimony to the other spouse. If you earn a lot more money than your spouse, there’s a good chance that you will have to pay alimony. You will typically have to pay a specific amount of money to your spouse every month. However, there are some instances where alimony payments can be reduced. Family lawyers discuss a few circumstances where the judge may agree to lower your payments.
You Lost Your Job
If you lose your job for any reason, it will certainly be more difficult to make your monthly alimony payments. You should make the judge aware of your employment situation as soon as possible and request for lower payments. The judge may require for you to show a termination letter to prove that you no longer have a job.
Your Former Spouse Gets Remarried
There come a time when your former spouse gets married to someone else. In this situation, the judge may completely terminate alimony payments because your spouse now has a second income.
You Become Disabled
Whether it’s due to an accident or illness, becoming disabled can reduce or eliminate your alimony payments. After all, you can’t go back to work and make the same income. However, you will have to show the judge concrete proof that you are indeed disabled, such as medical records.
Your Former Spouse Has an Increase in Income
If your former spouse gets a new job or a raise that significantly increases his or her income, the judge may agree to reduce or terminate your alimony payments. Your former spouse is making more money now and won’t need as much financial support to make ends meet.
Your Former Spouse Is Living With Someone
If your former spouse has moved in with another partner, there’s a chance your alimony payments could get lowered or terminated. Your ex-spouse is now sharing living expenses with someone else and may not require as much support.
If any of the above situations apply to you, your alimony payments could get decreased or eliminated. However, if you declare bankruptcy or lose your job on purpose, don’t expect the judge to adjust your payments.
If you can longer pay your alimony, it’s critical for you to let your family lawyer know as soon as possible. He or she may help you work out a plan with the judge and possibly get your payments adjusted. Just be perfectly honest about your situation and clearly explain why you can’t afford your payments anymore. Don’t just stop making payments without informing anyone, as that is considered a violation of a court order.
An attorney can understand how difficult it can be to keep up with your alimony payments and want to help you. If you would like to speak to a , we encourage you to give a law firm a call.
Thanks to for their insight into family law and alimony payments.