When can you ask the court to change the amount of child support that you pay or receive?

Attorney Tom Olsen: Let's go to Richard in Orlando. Richard, you're on WDBO. Go ahead.

Richard: I am paying child support for my daughter and I'm about to go into disability. I have to do cancer treatments and move to Jacksonville for about eight weeks, possibly. I have to pay to live up there because it's everyday treatments. How do I do that if I don't have the money? Do I pay it back later? I'm just trying to get through the treatment.

Tom: Richard, first of all, I wish you the best of health, my friend. Richard, whenever you're paying child support, either party has a right to go to court and ask the court to change the amount of child support when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Whether you're asking the court to pay less child support or whether you're asking the court to pay more child support. In this situation, you're going to be asking the court to order you to pay less child support because you've had a substantial change in circumstances.

You've got health issues, health expenses, inability to work, and you got've to move to another city for treatment. All very good, valid reasons why the court would order that you pay less child support until things get back to normal. Richard, what you'd want to do is you'd want to be proactive about this. Do not wait to the last minute. Do not wait until you're in default. If you know that this is going to be the case, then it is time for you to contact a family law attorney and begin pursuing this change in the amount of child support. Richard, what county do you live in?

Richard: Currently, I'm in Sumter County. I'm living in Lady Lake, the villages.

Tom: Okay, Richard, did I answer your question for you?

Richard: Yes, you did. Thank you very much.

Tom: All right, Richard, I wish you the best.

[00:01:50] [END OF AUDIO]