When a marriage dissolution is finalized, a divorce decree is drafted. A divorce decree is a legally binding document that expresses all decisions made in a divorce arrangement, including custody arrangements, property division, and spousal maintenance. The court enforces a divorce decree, and must be upheld by both parties. However, individuals can make changes within a divorce decree when necessary.
Requesting Additional Child Support
It is not uncommon for parents to require more child support after the initial divorce decree is finalized. Lifestyle changes following a separation or divorce can drastically affect a parent’s ability to provide for their children. For example, a mother may have been able to support her children with the child support amount expressed in the divorce arrangement, but she recently finds herself unemployed. In this case, the mother must request more child support from the state.
When Can I Modify My Divorce Decree?
Divorce agreements are eligible for modifications every three years. The court reviews these modifications to adjust legal documents to best fit a family’s current lifestyle. However, a decree modification can be requested before the three-year mark when there is a significant need for reevaluation.
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