While obtaining a spousal support order in Louisiana can offer significant relief, life keeps moving, and sometimes the original terms are no longer suitable for your current situation. If your circumstances have drastically changed, you’re likely wondering whether spousal support modifications are possible. Please continue reading to learn when Louisiana courts allow for modifications, what evidence is needed, and how a dedicated Monroe, Louisiana Alimony Lawyer can help set you up for success.
Can You Modify a Spousal Support Order in Louisiana?
Alimony, or spousal support, is typically ordered to prevent financial hardship for a lower-earning spouse after a divorce in Louisiana, ensuring they can maintain a similar standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. However, this type of financial support is not permanently fixed and may be adjusted over time, but only under certain circumstances.
To modify a spousal support order in Louisiana, you must demonstrate a significant change in your financial circumstances. A knowledgeable Monroe, Louisiana alimony lawyer can help you file a formal petition, showing a significant shift in your circumstances. It’s important to bear in mind that a modification is not granted simply because you want a change. The modification must be justified by demonstrable new conditions. Common examples include:
- A major reduction in the payer’s income (job loss or salary cut)
- A significant increase in the supported party’s income
- A serious illness or disability
- Remarriage or cohabitation
- Changes in financial obligations that impact the ability to pay or the need to receive funds
Any approved modification to spousal support can affect the payments in various ways, as the ruling is not restricted to simply lowering the amount. A modification can result in an increase in the payments if the recipient’s financial needs have grown since the initial order. On the flip side, the payments may be reduced if the financial capacity of the paying party has declined. The court could even terminate the obligation altogether.
What Evidence is Needed?
For a successful case, you need substantial evidence of the shift in your financial circumstances. Essential support documents to collect include recent income statements and pay stubs to verify your current earnings. To establish a historical financial baseline, tax returns from prior years must also be provided. Furthermore, if your case involves health-related claims, relevant medical records are necessary, and any documentation proving changes in expense or financial status is critical.
At Breithaupt, DuBos & Wolleson, we are prepared to assess your case and determine whether you have valid grounds to request a spousal support modification. Contact our legal team today to schedule your initial consultation.