If you are a parent who pays child support, you know how important the payment is for your child’s upbringing. However, you may struggle to meet the payments every month, especially if you have recently encountered a period of financial struggle.
While all parents with child support orders are legally obliged to pay what they owe, no parent should be in a position where they cannot afford to pay child support. This is because child support payments are calculated based on income. Therefore, if you have recently become unemployed or are earning a lower amount than usual, you should make sure that your child support obligations are modified in accordance with these changes. The following are some tips for modifying your child support order in Montana.
Speak to the other parent first
In an ideal situation, you will be able to raise your financial concerns with the other parent, and they will understand. You may be able to come to an agreement together on how you will tackle child support payments while you look for a new job.
Take action quickly
If you haven’t come to an agreement with the other parent, you should take action quickly, because any payments you miss will still be owed, and you won’t be able to reduce them retroactively.
Understand your legal rights
Remember that child support obligations will be reduced if you lose your income. However, you will need to take action to officially modify the court order.
If you are struggling to afford your child support obligations, make sure that you take swift action to modify the order so that you are not financially overwhelmed.