Yes. In Massachusetts, a substantial change in childcare costs can support a child support modification. Because the state's guidelines account for work-related childcare expenses, a major increase or decrease in those costs can make the current order outdated. When...
Does a new spouse’s income affect child support?
Remarriage can feel like a fresh start, but child support can make the financial side more complicated. If you or your former partner is getting married again, you may worry that a new spouse’s paycheck could raise what you owe or reduce what you receive. That concern...
Custody plans for a child with special needs
When you separate from your spouse, protecting your child's health and daily comfort comes first. Massachusetts courts focus on keeping established care plans and daily routines steady for your child. If a proposed schedule creates unnecessary disruptions, a judge can...
3 things to remember if your ex stops paying child support
Your life can turn upside down after getting a divorce. Suddenly you may be responsible for your kids separately from your spouse, managing your finances and child support allowance. If your ex-spouse stops providing child support, you may get into a financial burden....
Modifying child support for medical needs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts child support orders cover the costs of raising a child at a specific time. However, financial needs shift as health requirements change. When a child receives a new diagnosis or needs long-term therapy, the current support amount may no longer cover the...
How to update a child support order in Massachusetts?
Your support obligations help provide your children with financial security and emotional stability. By consistent payments, you prioritize their basic needs for housing, food, education and healthcare. As time goes on, however, you, your ex-spouse or one of your...
3 mistakes parents make negotiating alimony and child support
Divorce can be especially hard for parents who have been homemakers or the main caregiver for their children. You may have spent years raising your kids and managing the home, often putting your own career on hold. When it comes time to negotiate alimony and child...
Does unemployment eliminate child support obligations?
When the state calculates child support responsibilities, it looks at many different factors. The standard of living during the marriage, the number of children in the family, the income of the parents and the overall division of parenting time can all influence the...
Can wages be garnished for child support?
When someone is ordered to pay child support by a family court, they must adhere to that order. Many people do not want to pay child support, or may even feel like they shouldn’t have to. But as long as there is a binding court order on record, they have to follow it...
When can you ask the Massachusetts courts to lower child support?
Paying child support is one of your most important responsibilities as a parent in Massachusetts. However, the amount of support that you have to pay could sometimes cause you financial stress. The family courts do their best to balance the needs of a parent with the...
