Modifications Attorney in Temple Revising Family Legal Agreements as Life Changes Demand

Life constantly changes, and this is no exception regarding legal agreements. This is the beauty of legal modifications, the process of amending a legal contract, such as a divorce decree, child custody arrangement, visitation schedules, alimony, and child support payments.

Divorce, alimony, child custody, and other family law matters use legal agreements to ensure both parties fulfill their obligations after a final judgment, all the negotiations, and, sometimes, months and years in court.

Modifications, while valuable, shouldn’t be approached hastily as the court takes legal contracts seriously unless there’s a purpose or intent behind the change. Our law office can propose changes on your behalf in a way the court understands to increase the chances of approval.

Contract changes alter the scope of a contract, as well as the terms and conditions. It requires both parties’ participation to make the change and an experienced family law attorney like Barina Law Group to protect your rights, implement the changes, and make them official.

Family law and modifications are our legal specialization at Barina Law Group. We help couples and families navigate the ups and downs of family law matters, help enforce legal agreements and offer assistance when amendments are needed.

What Can Be Modified in Texas Legally?

The court allows modifications of legal agreements regarding spousal support, child custody, and child support. Following a divorce, a couple might request the assistance of a family law attorney to modify specific terms and conditions as a result of any material and substantial changes.

For instance, the spouse who pays spousal support loses their job and can no longer meet the financial terms of your alimony arrangement. This is considered a change in circumstances that impacts you directly, so we would get involved and address the court to consider a modification with updated terms and conditions.

Modifications are used in times of need to support unfortunate circumstances. A spouse who pays most of the child support as the non-custodial parent gets into a severe car accident that causes a physical disability and lost wages. The spouse can no longer meet the financial terms, so a child support modification is required.

Any changes in a legal agreement must be handled through an attorney with both spouses’ consent. The court does not like to make changes unless necessary, especially related to your children and custody or child support payments.

With legal matters such as a modification and custody and visitation changes, Barina Law Group can facilitate an amendment and present it to the court to ensure success. Schedule an initial consultation with our child custody and family law attorneys to discuss your modification needs.

How Do I Modify Child Custody and a Visitation Schedule?

Modifying your child custody arrangement or visitation schedule starts with open communication with your spouse, followed by your family law attorney. Not all parents are on good terms after a divorce or breakup, even months or years later. Amendments to existing legal agreements should be handled through an experienced family law attorney in all circumstances.

In Texas, there isn’t a concrete definition regarding a substantial change in circumstances related to child custody, so that every judge will review modifications on a case-by-case basis. As the court does not like to disrupt your children’s life or relationship with both parents, know that any changes must reflect the children’s best interests and should be portrayed to the judge in this manner.

These are some common reasons parents modify child custody as examples:

• The child’s needs change over time as they grow up.
• Financial circumstances change.
• Marital status of either party changes.
• A parent passes away.
• Relocation due to job or marriage.
• A parent isn’t following the child custody guidelines and needs to be enforced or modified.
• A parent is unfit or neglectful, the child is in danger, or safety is at risk.

When you need to modify a child custody arrangement or visitation schedule, contact Barina Law Group to discuss a court order and speak with an attorney to get legal counsel and support. Schedule an initial consultation today: (254) 323-5506.

Is My Child Support Agreement Flexible?

There must be a basis for proposed modifications to change a child support arrangement following a finalized divorce. Child support in Texas can be modified every three years or when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances.

The court reviews changes before the three years on a case-by-case basis and circumstances must reflect a permanent, substantial, or unexpected reason for an amendment.

Child support agreements, in other words, are not flexible once the court makes an initial judgment. However, modifications exist for many reasons a child support agreement might need to change unexpectedly. Communication with your spouse and family law attorney is critical to avoid legal issues.

Common reasons to relook at child support payments include:

• Increasing expenses related to school or medical needs, and the custodial parent needs to request additional money to cover the costs.
• Additional financial resources related to a child with ongoing medical issues, special needs, or disabilities aren’t covered by traditional child support calculations.
• Health problems or disability.
• Unexpected accident or injury.
• Job loss.

Sometimes families need situational flexibility, whether temporary or permanent and when these needs arise, Barina Law Group will help with a modification. Schedule an initial consultation with our attorneys to discuss your custody agreement: (254) 323-5506.

Can a Divorce Decree Be Modified in Texas?

After spending months in court finalizing your divorce, you and your spouse need to change your divorce decree. Sometimes errors were made and found later, or circumstances changed after the divorce was finalized. Once a judge signs off on your divorce decree, you have 30 days to file an appeal.

Appeals and motions to change a divorce decree should be handled through an experienced family law attorney. With Barina Law Group’s help, we can show that evidence was overlooked when making a decision. If you and your spouse disagree with the specific terms and conditions, we can petition for an amendment related to the decree directives.

There are different reasons for amendments, including child support, child custody, custody and visitation, spousal support, and other legal matters within the divorce decree. As an example, one spouse might request additional spousal maintenance or child support if financial circumstances change after the divorce is resolved.

In another example, trialing an agreed-upon visitation schedule might not work for one reason. Your family law attorney can help you file a motion for an amendment. It’s important to tread carefully with any decisions regarding your children, including visitation, child support, and child or custody. Any change must reflect the children’s best interests first and foremost.

Barina Law Group helps families dissolve their marriage as amicably as possible, and we offer legal representation and ongoing support to ensure arrangements are followed and enforced. As change happens, we also help with modification services. Meet with our attorneys through an initial phone consultation to get to know us better and see how we can support your family’s needs. Call our attorneys today: (254) 323-5506.