Modify Your Alimony Arrangement
One of the most important parts of any divorce settlement is an alimony or spousal support agreement. Alimony is designed to help dependent spouses maintain a lifestyle similar to what they enjoyed during their marriage, but is based on information available at the time of the divorce. Many times after the divorce, the circumstances that led to the initial alimony agreement can change, and as a result, allow for either the dependent party or the supporting party to seek a modification of their alimony agreement.
At Laufer, Dalena, Jensen, Bradley & Doran, LLC, our experienced attorneys have helped many clients across Chatham, Chester, Harding, Mendham, and Morris County to pursue and contest alimony modification petitions. By exclusively practicing family and divorce law, our firm is able to provide highly knowledgeable, focused and informed legal advice in any family matter, including alimony and alimony modifications. Contact our firm today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
When Can The Supporting Party Reduce Alimony Payments?
In order for spousal support/alimony to be modified in New Jersey, the petitioning party and their Chester alimony attorney must how that certain circumstances have changed for either party, and that those changes call for a modification of the existing alimony agreement. While there are no set circumstances that definitively qualify for an alimony modification, some of the most commonly accepted changed circumstances that would allow the supporting party to pursue an alimony modification are:
- Substantial involuntary decreases in income
- Unemployment
- Retirement
- An increase in cost of living
- An illness or disability after the initial alimony settlement that impacts the ability to maintain the current agreement
- The dependent party remarrying or cohabiting with another party
- Employment or increase in income of the supported party
- Refusal of the supported party to seek job training and/or employment
- The supported party receiving a large inheritance
When Can The Dependent Party Increase Alimony Payments?
It is also possible for the supported party to seek an increase in their regular alimony payments, and some of the commonly accepted circumstances that would allow for such an action are:
- An increase in the supporting party’s income or compensation levels
- The loss of your home or residence
- The supporting party receiving a large inheritance or financial payment such as an end-of-year bonus or sale of a business
Alimony Modification Process Attorneys In Harding, New Jersey
While both of the above lists provide a good starting point for understanding whether or not your particular case may qualify for an alimony modification, they are by no means final. Your best recourse for understanding if an alimony modification may be sought in your case is to speak with an experienced Harding alimony modification attorney and discuss your options moving forward.
If you and your Chester alimony modification attorney believe you have a case for moving forward with your alimony modification petition, you will have to demonstrate to the court that there exists changed circumstances that are permanent, substantial and unanticipated, which would allow for an alimony modification.
This will require a variety of documents and evidence to be presented to the court depending on your exact circumstances. After reviewing the changed circumstances cited in your case, the judge will also ask to see current financial information for both parties.
As with your initial alimony agreement, New Jersey judges have a great deal of leeway when it comes to deciding alimony, and as such retaining experienced legal representation during this process is highly recommended. A Harding alimony attorney will be able to present evidence for your case in a compelling, concise and effective manner, and ensure that the judge is aware of all of the necessary facts and circumstances of your unique case.
Contact A Morristown Alimony Modification Lawyer Today
At Laufer, Dalena, Jensen, Bradley & Doran, LLC, our attorneys have helped many clients across Harding, Chester, Chatham, Mendham and Morris County successfully resolve their alimony modification petitions.
Whether you wish to pursue an alimony modification or are facing an alimony modification petition, our attorneys have the experience, skills, and legal knowledge you need to ensure a positive outcome. Our firm features many attorneys selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list as it relates to family law, signifying industry and peer recognition of their legal knowledge, trial skills and ability to communicate with clients. You can view a complete list of our attorneys and their years of inclusion below.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with our firm and highly rated group of family law attorneys today regarding your alimony modification issues, please contact us online or through our Morristown office at 973-975-4043.