Philadelphia Child Support

Modification, Reduction and Enforcement

Philadelphia attorney Erik B. Jensen discusses often-complex child support issues, including child support modification, reduction, and enforcement.

Child Support Modification

Court orders governing child support payments are subject to change, or modification, if one or both parents' financial situations change from when the original divorce decree and support order were issued. Modifications can include reductions or increases in support payments, or adjustments to the established payment schedule, i.e., from monthly to quarterly. A modification is requested via a formal motion to the court that made the original child support award. Attorney Erik Jensen can assist you in determining if a modification requesting either an increase or decrease in support payments is in your best interests, and then help you by filing the papers with the court in an accurate and timely fashion.

Child Support Reduction

Sometimes, the amount of support ordered at the time of divorce becomes an issue. Perhaps the parent who is required to pay child support in Philadelphia is no longer earning the kind of money they did when the divorce decree was initially finalized. Or maybe, the parent to whom support is owed has remarried and now has two sizable incomes even without the support payments. In either case, the parent who is paying support can request a reduction in the amount they must pay. The court then utilizes the state's legal guidelines for child support payments as they relate to income to determine whether to approve a reduction. A motion for reduction should ideally be made BEFORE the parent to whom support is owed seeks enforcement of the original support order, to avoid any court battles or jail time. If you think you are eligible for a reduction in support payments, contact Erik B. Jensen for advice right away.

Child Support Enforcement

In situations where the parent ordered to pay child support fails to do so, the parent to whom payments are owed has the right to request enforcement of the support decision. Enforcement measures can be used to collect past-due and regularly-scheduled support payments, by deducting support from the delinquent parent's earnings or filing liens against his or her property, among other methods. If a delinquent parent is found to be in contempt of court, he or she may be sent to jail until they pay whatever is owed.

Before extreme measures are taken, however, it is a much better idea to speak to an attorney about modifications or reductions. Contact the Philadelphia law office of Erik B. Jensen, P.C. and consult with one of our child support attorneys on the options available with regards to your particular child support issues.

Call our toll free office phone number at 866-550-4686. Alternatively, feel free to use our quick contact web form.

We serve the Philadelphia, PA area, including Drexel Hill, Chester, Springfield, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, and surrounding areas, as well as Bellmawr, Camden, Cherry Hill, Camden County, Salem County, Gloucester County, Burlington County, and surrounding areas throughout southern New Jersey.