Springfield Modifications Lawyer

Modifications Attorney In Springfield, TN

Life after a divorce or any end to a relationship is not static. People’s financial and personal situations change, and that can have an impact on things like parental fitness and ability to pay child or spousal support. When that happens, you should hire a Springfield, TN, modifications lawyer to help you file and support a petition for modification of your agreements.

Trust Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC

Here at Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC, we understand that life is not always simple. Things change, and you might sometimes need to make changes to your post-divorce plans to reflect your new circumstances. We have been practicing family law for years, and in that time, we have handled countless modification cases. We can use our deep understanding of modification laws to help you, too.

Why Hire a Modifications Lawyer

In 2023, Tennessee had a divorce rate of 2.9 divorces per 1,000 state residents. Robertson County’s divorce rate is slightly higher than the state average at 3.4 divorces per 1,000 county residents as of 2020. Only 50.4% of all adults currently live with a spouse. What these statistics show is that divorces are relatively commonplace occurrences, and many of the people who get divorced continue to live alone while taking care of children and themselves.

Whether you plan to continue living alone after your divorce or you meet a new partner can have an impact on your post-divorce plans, as can other major changes in life circumstances. When that happens, you need to hire a modifications lawyer to help you make the necessary changes to your parenting, child support, and spousal support plans. A Springfield modifications attorney can help you accomplish this goal quickly and efficiently so you can move on with your life.

Child Custody and Visitation Modifications

Child custody modifications are only made when it’s in the child’s best interest. If you want to modify your custody or visitation plans in Springfield, you will need to prove that it will be beneficial for your child. Circumstances that might warrant changing your custody plan can include:

• A significant move. If you or the other parent plans to move away, that could have a direct impact on the child’s well-being and may necessitate a change in child custody arrangements.
• Changes in work schedule. Sometimes parents must take on new jobs or altered hours that make it difficult to maintain current child custody plans. When that happens, they can petition the court to change them.
• Concerns about parental fitness. If one parent develops an issue with substance abuse or neglect, or enters into a dangerous living environment, it could endanger the child. Custody or visitation arrangements may need to change.
• Non-adherence. If one parent consistently violates the current parenting plan, it can be considered grounds for altering the child custody or visitation arrangements.

Your lawyer can help you gather evidence that proves the grounds for modifying your parenting plan.

Child Support Modifications

Child support orders are designed to ensure that children’s needs are met. They generally reflect the parents’ current financial situations, which can change. You may need to alter your child support agreement if you or your co-parent is affected by:

• A major income change
• A job loss
• A new job
• Changes in the child’s needs
• Changes in the custody arrangements

As with modifications to parenting plans, you will need to provide proof of any changes in your financial situation to the Circuit Court or Chancery Court of Robertson County for your hearing.

Spousal Support Modifications

Alimony can also be modified in most cases. The exception is when divorce decrees explicitly state that spousal support is non-modifiable. Grounds for modification can include:

• Change in financial circumstances
• Job loss
• Retirement
• Receiving spouse’s cohabitation
• Changes in health

You should petition for changes as soon as your circumstances change.

FAQs

Can You Modify a Parenting Plan Without Going to Court in TN?

You cannot make major modifications to a parenting plan without going to court in TN. To substantially modify your parenting plan, you must prove a change in circumstances and file a petition with the court. You can, however, use a mediator or another professional to help you and your co-parent reach an agreement on the modification before filing the document.

How Do I Petition to Modify Child Support in Tennessee?

To petition to modify child support in Tennessee, you must file a petition for modification with the court, serve the other parent, and present your case during a hearing. Keep in mind that Tennessee requires a substantial material change in circumstances to occur. You can prove changes in income and other significant alterations to your circumstances with the help of a modifications lawyer.

What Qualifies as a Change in Circumstance?

What qualifies as a change in circumstance depends on what type of modifications you are trying to make. For child support modifications, a substantial change in one parent’s gross income can qualify as a change in circumstances. For child custody, moving to a new city, alterations to one parent’s work schedule, or concerns about a parent’s fitness can all qualify as material changes.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for Child Support Modifications?

It is worth getting a lawyer for child support modifications. The process can be challenging, and you may face pushback from your co-parent. A modifications lawyer can assist you with keeping track of deadlines, filing paperwork, and gathering the evidence required to present your case during your hearing. It may cost more money to hire a modifications attorney now, but it will pay off in the long run.

Your Springfield, TN, Modifications Lawyer

Making changes to a plan can be complicated. You can reduce frustration and ensure that your interests are protected by hiring a Springfield, TN, modifications lawyer. Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC can help. Our family law firm has assisted countless clients with making changes to their parenting, child support, and spousal support plans, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.