On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
The COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered the way we live our lives and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. While also being an unprecedented global health crisis, the effects of COVID-19 have significantly altered the economy. The unemployment rate has risen dramatically, and this could affect a person’s ability to pay their monthly child support obligations. Do you know what to do if you need to modify your child support payments in Fort Lauderdale?
Covid-19 Has Put Many People Into Horrible Financial Situations
If anyone in the US understands the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a Floridian. What began as a health crisis has devolved into an economic nightmare, with the unemployment rate in Florida currently sitting at around 14.5%. According to a recent CNBC report, a total of 47 million Americans could lose their jobs over the course of this pandemic.
With so many people out of work, it is understandable that some of you may have trouble paying your monthly child support obligations on time and in full.
Please understand that simply not paying your child support is not an option. These are court-ordered payments, and you could end up in serious legal trouble. Not only will you end up in debt, but you could end up in jail.
The good news is that the family court system has a process in place that allows a person to modify their child support payments. If you have been laid off, furloughed, or seen a reduction in your work hours, this could be valid grounds to petition the courts for a lower child support payment.
It is important to note that any modifications made to your child support payment will not be retroactive. If you wait for two months after making less money and then petition for lower payments, then you will not receive any money back. That is why it is important to start the petition process as soon as you know you will run into economic trouble due to job loss.
This is not an automatic process. Your existing child support order will remain in effect until there is a court order that modifies it or temporarily suspends it.
Let Us Help You Through This
If you need to make modifications to your child support payments, you need to do is this the appropriate way. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., you can count on us to stand by your side. We thoroughly understand Florida’s family law issues, including how child support modifications work. We will work to ensure you are treated fairly throughout this process. Our Fort Lauderdale lawyers recognize that everyone can experience financial difficulty, and this does not make you a bad parent. When you need a Fort Lauderdale child support modification attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 954-533-2756.
