In the years following your divorce, your life will change substantially. A divorce agreement or parenting plan that was sensible at the time of your divorce may no longer reflect the realities of your life. In these situations, it may be necessary to formally modify your divorce agreement or parenting plan. A knowledgeable Westport spousal support Modification lawyer can provide invaluable assistance.
Based in Westport, the dedicated spousal support attorneys of Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC are adept at modifying child custody, child support, and alimony. We will remain attentive to your needs, goals, and the best interests of your children as we work toward changing the terms of your custody or support agreement.
When determining whether a modification is warranted, the court will look to see whether there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Examples of a substantial change in circumstances may include a significant increase (or decrease) in one party’s income, an increased need for support, or changes in the children’s lives requiring an adjustment of a parenting plan. Further, any changes to a parenting plan must be in the child’s best interests.
Our legal team often encourages clients to resolve post-judgment modification disputes through mediation and collaboration in order to save the time, expense, and stress of going to court. We are skilled in providing mediation and collaboration services for our clients and/or guiding them through the process with an outside source. In many instances, a collaborative approach can facilitate a more favorable resolution that takes into consideration each party’s interests. When appropriate, however, our firm will aggressively assert our clients’ position through litigation in order to obtain the desired outcome.
Under state law, Courts may modify periodic alimony when a party demonstrates a substantial change in circumstances after the entry of the original Order. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-86, the Court evaluates whether financial conditions materially changed since the prior judgment or modification.
An alimony modification attorney in Westport will often review financial developments such as:
In high-net-worth matters, support calculations often involve more than base salary. Courts may evaluate partnership distributions, stock options, restricted stock units, incentive compensation, and passive investment income when determining whether modification is appropriate.
Many dissolution of marriage actions involving substantial assets resolve through negotiated Settlement Agreements that contain carefully structured alimony provisions. Some Agreements limit future modification rights or define what qualifies as a substantial change in circumstances. Before filing an alimony modification action, a Westport attorney must carefully analyze the governing Agreement and final judgment.
Certain alimony provisions may be non-modifiable as to duration, amount, or both. Courts also examine whether a financial event was anticipated when the original Agreement was negotiated. For high-income individuals, settlement agreements often address future bonus compensation, deferred compensation vesting schedules, business liquidity events, trust distributions, and variable compensation structures.
Sophisticated support arrangements may also involve fluctuating annual income or compensation tied to business performance. These factors frequently require an extensive financial review to determine whether a modification request is legally appropriate.
Courts expect substantial documentation establishing both the original financial circumstances and the alleged changes supporting modification. Building a detailed financial record is often necessary before seeking or opposing changes to a support Order. This process often involves reviewing:
Discovery frequently becomes central in proceedings involving substantial assets or closely shared business interests. Our Westport attorneys often review deferred compensation, fluctuating income, and complex financial reporting before seeking modifications to an existing spousal support Order. Courts may also evaluate whether a party voluntarily reduced income or remains capable of earning at a prior level.
Strategic preparation is often necessary before settlement discussions, Mediation, or Trial. Our attorneys routinely coordinate with financial experts to evaluate compensation structures and income reporting issues affecting support determinations.
Life changes, and so can your divorce agreement. Whether you need to modify spousal support, child custody, or child support, an experienced Westport spousal support modification lawyer at Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC are here to guide you. We will listen carefully to your concerns, explain your legal options, and pursue the best approach—whether through mediation, collaboration, or litigation.
Do not wait to address changes that affect your financial stability or your children’s well-being. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your post-judgment modification needs.
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(203) 222-4949