Trustworthy spousal support representation in New Bern and Morehead City
If you are going through a divorce, alimony (also called spousal support) is one of the major issues that could impact your future. Whether you are seeking spousal support or anticipate having to pay it, the court’s decision is going to affect your finances for a significant amount of time. For this reason, it is crucial to find an experienced and determined divorce attorney who knows how to pursue a fair and reasonable alimony order. Carolina Law Group, led by Tommy Kellis, has a team of accomplished litigators ready to fight for the results you need. Additionally, if you have a post-divorce alimony conflict, we can help you resolve that situation on favorable terms.
A court order for alimony has the weight of the law behind it. Anyone who willfully fails to pay support can be held in contempt of court and may be subject to enforcement tactics, such as wage garnishment, property liens and, in some cases, even jail time. If you find yourself unable to pay, you should immediately contact us to seek a modification of your alimony order.
Parties to an alimony order can request a modification from the court, either to increase or decrease the amount of payment, if there has been a “substantial change in circumstances.” This change could relate to the supporting spouse’s ability to pay or the recipient spouse’s needs. Common reasons to seek a modification include:
The payor’s involuntary loss of employment
Disability or illness of either party
Unexpected financial emergencies
Unanticipated cost of living increases
The recipient spouse’s willful failure to become self-supporting
A significant improvement in the recipient spouse’s financial circumstances
It is important for a payor who cannot keep up with obligations to make the request before falling behind in payments, because those amounts owed will remain enforceable until the court issues a new order.
