What if Life Has Changed Since Your Divorce? Seeking a Post-Divorce Modification in New Jersey
As our New Jersey Divorce Blog Series comes to a close, we cannot fail to acknowledge that although your divorce may be finalized, the constantly evolving nature of life may require significant alterations to your divorce agreement in the future. As we know all-too-well, situations can change in an instant and we must adapt our lives and lifestyles accordingly to suit our needs and the needs of others.
Perhaps your job changes, your income shifts dramatically, you receive a new position out-of-state, or you fall in love with someone new. Or, perhaps your spouse undergoes an important life change, or your child’s activities, priorities, or unique needs dictate a significant change in his or her schedule. All of these life-altering events can cause a disruption in the tenuous balance that you have managed to achieve after divorce. However, with the help of an experienced divorce attorney, you can seek a post-divorce modification that facilitates the transition to a new normal, spelling less stress and difficulty for you and your family.
Among the most common elements of your divorce which may require modification in the future are:
There are a myriad of factors which may influence finances, schedules, relationships, and other sources of change that necessitate post-divorce modification. For example, employment circumstances such as promotions, demotions, job termination, unemployment, or disability may lead to a change in income. Other external financial factors such as cost of living and inflation may also become considerations. In terms of relationships, a choice to cohabitate and reliance on another person for financial support may provide grounds for an alimony modification.
Other milestones in the lives of children such as college or reaching adulthood may require alterations or termination of child support, while modifications to a parenting plan may result from a changes in the child’s age, schedule, activities, etc. Lastly, one of the former spouses may decide to relocate for work or other considerations, which may spell implications for child custody arrangements and associated child support payments.
Regardless of the source of change in your life or the life of your former partner, you will need to provide significant evidence to substantiate the need for a post-divorce modification. Each case is unique and will require different information to provide to the court, but the necessity for gathering evidence and constructing a compelling case for post-divorce modification remains the same. Your divorce attorney should evaluate your final divorce decree and conduct a comparative analysis of your former versus current circumstances in order to determine which information will be relevant to formulating an effective post-divorce modification strategy.
If you are considering a divorce in New Jersey, have recently initiated the divorce process, or are seeking a post-divorce modification, feel free to contact my offices anytime at (908) 481-4625 for an initial consultation. I am always available to answer your questions.
