Modifications/Enforcements of Court Orders

When A Family Law Court Order Needs Modifying

You may have good reasons to ask a family law court to modify your family’s child custody or support order. Perhaps you need to move to take a new job, pursue a new academic endeavor or care for elderly parents. Perhaps your income or financial needs have changed significantly – or the child’s other parent now has a substantially higher income. Whatever the reason, your child’s best interests must be a large part of the equation.

If Seidel Tabakman Family Law is your family law firm, you can count on your attorney to help position you for success. Your lawyer may help you proactively negotiate an acceptable agreement with the other parent. Or, if the other parent wants a modification that you object to, your attorney can represent you in negotiations seeking a more appropriate arrangement.

When Is A Family Law Court Likely To Approve A Custody Or Support Modification?

Perhaps individual or family circumstances have changed significantly. You believe you can demonstrate to a family law judge that a custody or support modification is reasonable and in your child’s best interests. In this situation, you may stand a good chance of getting the court’s approval.

On the other hand, you may save time and money if you and your child’s other parent reach your own agreement together. Ideally, you both should mutually approve of the modification that you propose before presenting your case to the court.

If there is resistance from the other parent but the change in custody or support that you are proposing is important, look for other solutions. If possible, avoid expensive, public adversarial proceedings before a judge and jury. You may decide to spend time in negotiations or mediation with the other parent until you reach a resolution. If you agree and can show it is in your child’s best interests, your proposed modification may translate to a new court order.

Get An Attorney’s Help To Enforce A Court Order

A child custody or support order may not seem worth the paper it is printed on if someone fails to obey it. Look for a legal solution if your ex-spouse or the other parent of your child is not following a court order to do one or more of these things:

• Abide by determined child custody or visitation (conservatorship or possession) arrangements
• Pay child support during or after your divorce proceedings
• Pay alimony (spousal maintenance)
• Sell the marital home and divide the proceeds after a divorce
• Divide other marital assets
• Pay debts as ordered in a divorce decree

To explore options for enforcing court orders and obligations such as these, consult with an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney. Adam Seidel has 30 years of experience in family law in Texas. He has helped many individuals and families find relief when ex-spouses and “deadbeat” parents were reneging on their custody, support or asset division responsibilities.

A Variety Of Enforcement Methods

Sometimes, a letter from a lawyer and/or meetings with an ex-spouse and their attorney can turn things around. No court action may be necessary once your former wife or husband or the other parent of your child understands the possible consequences of not following an order.

However, sometimes talking is not enough to overcome someone’s financial or practical difficulties. You may be able to get help from the Texas attorney general (AG) if your child’s other parent is not paying child support as ordered. The AG may use methods such as wage garnishment to get the child support that you have not been receiving. For a failure to obey child custody and/or asset division orders, a judge may impose a new, tougher court order and/or threaten the person with jail time.

Explore the available options for seeking relief when your ex-spouse or the other parent of your child is not following a child custody, asset division or alimony order.

To learn more , email us or call us at 214-528-3344 (Dallas) or 817-230-4442 (Ft. Worth) or  972-312-1212 (Plano).