Frisco Visitation and Child Support Modification Lawyer
Have your circumstances changed significantly since the time you were divorced or since the time a paternity order or child support order was entered? If you need help modifying an existing family law court order, get the experienced legal representation you require by contacting the Law Offices of Sharon Merrick.
At my law office in Richardson, Texas, I represent clients in a wide range of family law matters, including modification hearings. Contact my office for assistance with a modification proceeding, including:
- Custody modifications
- Visitation modifications
- Child support modifications
- Parental relocation disputes
Custody Modifications
If a change of circumstances has occurred and an existing conservatorship (custody) designation is no longer in the best interests of your child, contact my law office to discuss your legal options. A change of primary custody can be appropriate and there are factors that warrant a modification. Such factors include a change in circumstance for the children, the age of the child, the child's activities, new siblings and certainly chemical dependency, physical abuse, sexual abuse, parental neglect, parental alienation and other factors affecting the physical or emotional welfare of a child.
Visitation Modifications
A visitation schedule in Texas is also known as a possession schedule. A possession schedule may be modified if a change of circumstances has occurred and a modification is in the best interests of a minor child. A possession schedule may be modified for a variety of reasons:
- A child's needs or schedule has changed: Your child may be involved in a sport, play or activity, which makes an existing possession order impractical.
- A parent's needs have changed: If a parent has moved, an existing visitation order may be impractical. A modification may be required to enable the noncustodial parent to have sufficient visitation with his or her child.
- Issues affecting the physical or emotional welfare of a child: If a child's needs have changed, a concern arises about a parent's ability to properly care for a child, or other factors have arisen that affect the welfare of a child, a modification of the existing order may be appropriate.
Child Support Modifications
A child support order may be modified if a substantial change of circumstances has occurred. If you are paying support and your income has substantially decreased, you may be able to obtain a modification that will decrease the amount of child support you are required to pay. However, you must get a court order. The order will not be retroactive, so it is critical that you take prompt action.
If you receive child support and the payor of support has just received a pay raise, you may seek a child support modification to increase your support award. You may also seek a child support increase if your child's needs have changed and the cost of caring for your child has significantly increased.
Free Attorney Consultation
If you need to speak with a Texas family law attorney about a custody, visitation or child support modification, contact my law office to schedule a free consultation. For assistance, call 972-591-2323 or contact me by e-mail.
