Fulton, MD Spousal Support Modification Lawyer

Fulton, MD Spousal Support Modification Attorney

When there is a significant change in your financial circumstances following a divorce, you may wish to seek a modification to the spousal support you are receiving. The reality is that you cannot simply seek to change or revise the divorce decree because you’ve changed your mind. Spousal support modifications require a legal avenue for your protection. When these situations arise, you need the legal assistance of an experienced Fulton spousal support modification lawyer.

If you are contesting or seeking a change to the spousal support section of your divorce decree, you need a lawyer on your side who understands the family law as it pertains to issues of divorce modifications. With the help of the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, you gain the knowledge and experience you need on your side to successfully navigate modifications to your divorce settlement. With our help, you reach an equitable outcome based on new circumstances.

Explaining Spousal Support in Fulton, Maryland

In Maryland, there are two main forms of spousal support, also known as alimony, that an individual experiencing divorce may be able to obtain. The nature of the alimony you can receive ultimately depends on you and your divorcing spouse’s financial situation. If you ever wish to modify the spousal support laid out in your divorce decree, you will first need to understand the kind of alimony you are currently receiving. The two types of alimony in Maryland include:

• Pendente lite spousal support. Also known as temporary spousal support, Pendente Lite alimony is a form of spousal support that is paid before the courts grant the final divorce. The purpose of this type of alimony is to assist the receiving spouse in maintaining their current status quo. There is no guarantee, however, that the courts will grant this spousal support in the final divorce decree.
• Permanent spousal support. Also known as indefinite spousal support, this kind of alimony can be granted when the receiving spouse is not able to become self-supportive following the divorce or makes any type of reasonable progress toward becoming self-supportive. This is usually due to the receiving spouse’s age, illness, disability, or infirmity.

When determining the amount of spousal support to be awarded in a divorce, the Maryland court judges will take certain factors into account. These factors can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The duration of the marriage
• The financial need of the receiving spouse
• Age of the divorcing parties
• The ability to pay the paying spouse
• The current standards of living of both spouses
• The circumstances of the estrangement and subsequent divorce
• The rights of each party to receive retirement benefits
• Any custodial arrangements

How Our Team Can Help

At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, you are not just another client. You are a human being who deserves the support necessary to maintain your quality of life. Divorce can be a challenging and difficult time, and there are some instances in which seeking the modification of a spousal support decree becomes necessary. Founding attorney Todd K. Mohink has over 25 years of legal experience and is ready to put that experience to use in assisting you.

Our attorneys are both skilled negotiators and litigators and are ready to assist clients in whatever kind of legal circumstances they have found themselves dealing with. We are here to provide the counsel necessary to seek a successful modification of a spousal support decree in Fulton, MD. Whatever your reasoning is for seeking a modification, we are here to offer our advice and legal assistance so that you can start rebuilding your life following a divorce in Maryland.

Reasons to Seek a Spousal Support Modification

In order to request a modification to the spousal support decisions laid out in your divorce decree, you must have a good reason for seeking this modification. In Maryland, the judge will deliberate on the alimony modification decision on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not you have a valid rationale. Simply wanting to pay less alimony to your ex-spouse because you hope to save money will not be a good enough reason.

In Maryland, the only real way to seek a modification of a spousal support decision is to demonstrate that there has been a material change to your personal circumstances. These material changes can include:

• You or your ex-spouse’s wages have increased or decreased by a significant amount
• One of the parties has received an inheritance
• One of the parties has lost their employment
• One of the parties has significant evidence to believe that the original alimony order was made based on fraud or concealment.
• A child shared between the two parties has had a change in their financial status due to their disability, age, or a change in health
• There is a concern or change in your child’s health and safety

If you are experiencing any of these changes in your personal life, you might have a case for spousal support modification. In meeting with an attorney from the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, you can rest assured knowing our team will review the unique details of your case and be able to make a determination on your eligibility to receive a modification to your spousal support order.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Modify Alimony in MD?

A: In order to seek a modification of an alimony order in Maryland, you will want to take several actions to give yourself a chance to receive this modification. First, you will want to consult with an attorney who can review your case and determine your eligibility. You will want to gather certain evidence that shows your change in financial circumstances. Your attorney will then be able to help you file a petition to seek modification.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Modify an Alimony Order in MD?

A: It can be difficult to offer an exact estimate as to how long it might take to modify an alimony order in Maryland. This is because there can be several factors involved that can affect the overall timeline of your modification case. These can include the complexity of the case, the cooperation of your ex-spouse, and the availability of the courts.

Q: If I Remarry, Can I Still Receive Spousal Support in MD?

A: In Maryland, if the spouse receiving alimony remarries, they will no longer be able to receive this spousal support payments from their ex unless the two parties agree to the continuation of the alimony in a written agreement. Alimony is typically not meant to be a life-long pension but rather help the receiving spouse get back on their feet following a divorce.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Seek a Spousal Support Modification?

A: It can be difficult to estimate the exact number of times it might cost you to seek a modification to your spousal support offer. This is because there can be several factors involved in these cases that will affect the final costs. These factors include the complexity of the case, your attorney’s fees, and the costs of going through the court system with your case.

Fulton Spousal Support Modification Lawyer

If you have experienced a change in financial circumstances and hope to seek a modification to your spousal support order, it’s time to contact the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA. If you are seeking to contest a modification to spousal support, our attorneys can help. Contact our offices for a free consultation in order to learn more information on how we might help you with a modification to an alimony order.