What Are Modifications?
Family Law Modifications in Illinois are changes to court orders for parental responsibilities, spousal support, or child support. These changes are made when there are significant, long-term changes in either parent or the children. At Watson Law, our family law attorneys can help you with any or all modifications.
Below are the areas in which Modifications can be made.
Modifications to Child Support
Modifications can ensure that children receive the appropriate financial support as circumstances change after a divorce. The court will consider factors such as:
- The child’s needs
- Each parent’s ability to pay
- Each parent’s parenting time
- Inflation and cost of living increases
Modifications to Spousal Support
Also known as alimony, spousal maintenance is a court order that requires one spouse to provide financial support to the other. Modifications require a substantial change in circumstances, such as:
- Employment changes
- The recipient’s efforts to become self-sufficient
- Injury or other impairments
Modifications to Parental Responsibilities
Modifying parental responsibilities is more difficult than modifying parenting time. There is a two-year prohibition on changing the allocation of parental decision-making responsibilities.
A substantial change in circumstances means that the current family court order no longer fits with the interests of the child or parents. Substantial changes in circumstance can include:
- Change in relationship dynamics
- Change in residence
- Change in School
- Change in Health
- Education Needs
- Change in Family Dynamics
Generally courts are less likely to change decision making authority than they are parenting time. That’s’ because it’s important to remember decision making authority only means having a say and final major decision concerning a child’s health, education, religion, and extracurricular needs. Some examples could include:
- Baptism or confirmation
- Where a child goes to school
- 504 and IEP needs
- Medication for Neurodivergence
- And other scholastic support.
Courts expect children to participate in at least one extracurricular activated per season. Decisions expecting additional activities would require to have input into final say.
How can Watson Law help you with Modifications?
From Peoria, IL to Chicago, IL, Watson Law provides guidance, experience, and support for any or all modification changes. A family law attorney will meet with you after you Schedule an Appointment and will ask questions like:
- Did you lose your job?
- Did you start a new job?
- Have you been injured?
- Has the other parent been hurt?
- Has there been a major change in housing?
- Have you relocated?
- Have the kids’ needs changed?
- Is the other parent following the parenting plan?
- Have there been any issues with the parenting plan?
- & More.
We’re here to help. Schedule an Appointment today.
