Will Florida Let Me Reduce My Child Support Payments If I Lose My Job?

Child support payments are a significant burden on those who are not employed full-time. If you were employed full-time and you recently lost your job, the courts may consider that when adjusting the amount of money you have to pay in child support. In this article, the Tampa, FL child support attorneys at Faulkner Law Group, PLLC will discuss how the courts deal with parents who lose their job, and what you can do to reduce your child support payments.

Why did you lose your job? 

This is an important question to ask. For the courts to suspend or reduce child support payments, you must be able to show that your job loss was involuntary. In other words, if you were laid off, you have a much better chance of applying for a reduction than if you quit or were fired for misconduct. The courts generally will only consider reducing child support payments if the job loss is involuntary.

When do the Florida courts consider reducing child support payments? 

Noncustodial parents can seek a reduction in child support payments if:

• Your current child support order won’t end within six months;

And either

• Your current child support order has not been modified or reviewed over the last three years; OR
• You suffered a “substantial, permanent, and involuntary” change in circumstances that makes it more difficult (or even impossible) for you to pay child support at the current amount.

Involuntary unemployment will usually qualify as a significant change in circumstances. However, even the loss of your job might not be enough to convince a Florida judge to reduce your child support payments. The judge can consider other resources you may have when deciding on a reduction of child support.

What should I do if I want to reduce my child support payments? 

1. Apply to either the Sixth Circuit Court (if the child resides in Tampa) or the Child Support Program. One of these entities will make the decision.
2. Provide your financial information to the agency that will make the decision (either the Sixth Circuit Court or the Child Support Program) so they can review it.
3. The agency or court will contact the other parent for relevant information.
4. The agency or court will examine the petition using the “best interests of the child” standard.
5. The agency or court will convene a hearing that both parents can attend and argue for or against a modification of the existing order.
6. The agency or court will issue a ruling on your request for the modification.
7. The agency or court will mail a copy of the decision to each parent.

Talk to a Tampa, FL Child Support Modification Attorney Today 

Faulkner Law Group, PLLC represents the interests of Tampa residents who want to modify their child support order. Call our Tampa family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.