Gloucester County Modification and Termination Lawyers Located in Woodbury, NJ

Top-Rated Modification and Termination Attorneys in Woodbury, NJ Help Clients With Child Support, Child Custody, and Alimony Agreements in Gloucester County and Throughout South Jersey

Divorce is rarely simple. Divorce proceedings focus on reaching an agreement on any number of complex and important issues that will impact the rest of your life. Child custody, child support, and spousal support are three of the most important issues you must resolve before a divorce agreement can be finalized. If you’re like most people, you may have breathed a sigh of relief once those agreements were finally reached.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t stand still. Changing circumstances over time can require a reevaluation of previously-agreed upon issues. It can be just as difficult to reach an agreement with your former spouse over how to modify or end an existing agreement.  

Our knowledgeable family law attorneys at Smedley Law Group can help with any modifications or terminations that may be necessary based upon changes in your life. We understand how challenging it can be to return to the drawing board with a former spouse. Our attorneys are skilled mediators who can help you and your former spouse explore every available option that might help your family.

If you’re considering requesting a modification or termination of an existing child custody, child support, or spousal support arrangement, don’t wait to get help. Our experienced Woodbury, NJ modification and termination lawyers can help you and your family work through these important issues so that you can reach the agreement that’s right for your circumstances as they exist now. To arrange a consultation, just contact our office to set up an appointment.

Circumstances That Can Justify Termination or Modification of a Child Custody Arrangement

Reaching an agreement over child custody arrangements is often one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. Every parent wants the best for their children—and that usually involves maintaining a valuable relationship with each of the child’s parents.  

Understandably, it’s difficult to modify or terminate an existing child support agreement. You likely went to great lengths to reach an agreement in the first place—so the courts require a showing of substantially changed circumstances to make changes at a later date.

Generally, you’ll be required to show:

• That there’s an existing child custody agreement in place
• A substantial change in circumstances has occurred
• The requested modification or termination is in the child’s best interests.

As always, it’s required to show that the change or termination is in the child’s best interests.  Factors that courts will consider include:

• One or both parents have moved
• The child’s education has failed or is suffering in some way that the modification would correct
• One parent has begun living with someone else
• The child has just started school, if the agreement was reached when the child was younger
• The child’s safety is somehow at risk
• One parent refuses to comply with the existing child custody arrangement
• There’s evidence that one parent is using drugs or alcohol while caring for the child
• Allegations of child abuse and domestic violence.

Modifying or terminating an existing child support agreement is never easy. It’s important that you have an experienced family law attorney by your side every step of the way. If you’re facing a request for modification or termination, or would like to explore your options, give us a call to set up an appointment with one of our skilled attorneys.  

Terminating or Modifying a Child Support Order

Child support is generally ordered based upon guidelines used by the New Jersey courts.  Those guidelines follow a fairly standard formula for determining each parent’s financial obligations.

That being said, you may have to modify your existing child support agreement to reflect changed circumstances. Either party can file a motion with the court to modify a child support agreement. Circumstances that will generally support such a modification include:

• One parent lost their job
• A parent accepted a higher-paying job
• The parents changed their parenting time arrangement so that one parent is spending more time with the child
• Either parent or child experienced a physical or mental disability
• There were changes in the level of expenses needed to support the child.

If you’d like to explore modifying or terminating an existing child support agreement, don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule a consultation.

Changing Your Existing Spousal Support Order

Spousal support, or alimony, is intended to maintain the financial position of divorcing spouses.  However, there are a number of circumstances under which an existing agreement might be modified or terminated. Those include:

• The recipient spouse has remarried or is cohabitating with someone 
• Either spouse has accepted a higher paying job
• The payor spouse has lost their job
• Increases in either spouse’s cost of living
• Illness or disability.

Most spousal support agreements specify the time frame over which the recipient spouse will continue to receive alimony. The agreement can automatically terminate on that date. However, agreements can also be terminated early depending upon the circumstances.  

To explore your options and protect your rights, call our office today.

Contact Smedley Law Group for a Consultation With an Experienced Woodbury Modification and Termination Attorney

To learn more about how a qualified Woodbury, NJ modification and termination lawyer can help your family with an existing child custody, child support, or spousal support agreement, contact Smedley Law Group for a consultation today.

• Locations Served in Gloucester County
• Clayton Deptford Township
• East Greenwich Elk Township
• Franklin Township Glassboro
• Greenwich Township Harrison Township
• Logan Township Mantua Township
• Monroe Township National Park
• Newfield Paulsboro
• Pitman South Harrison
• Swedesboro Washington Township
• Wenonah West Deptford
• Westville Woodbury
• Woodbury Heights Woolwich Township

Frequently Asked Questions About Modifications and Terminations of Child Custody, Child Support, or Alimony Arrangements