Can You Modify Your Alimony Order?

Many people experience financial struggles due to unexpected life changes, such as job loss, medical emergencies, or other hardships. If you are paying alimony and your financial situation has changed, you may wonder whether you can modify or stop your alimony payments.

However, simply stopping alimony payments is not an option—doing so would violate a court order and could lead to serious legal consequences. Instead, the proper way to adjust your obligations is to request a modification through the court.

Proving a Change of Circumstances

To modify or terminate an alimony order, the spouse requesting the change must show that there has been a significant change in circumstances. Some common reasons that courts may grant a modification include:

For the Paying Spouse:

• Job loss or reduced income – If you have lost your job or your earnings have significantly decreased, you may qualify for a reduction in alimony.
• Illness, injury, or disability – If a medical condition affects your ability to work, this may justify modifying alimony payments.
• Financial hardship – If you are struggling to keep up with payments due to a major life change, the court may consider an adjustment.

For the Receiving Spouse:

• Remarriage – If the recipient remarries, alimony payments may automatically end.
• New employment or increased income – If the receiving spouse secures a well-paying job, alimony may be reduced or terminated.
• Financial independence – If the recipient has acquired financial resources that make support unnecessary, a modification may be justified.
  
  

The Gavron Warning and Alimony Termination

Some alimony recipients receive a Gavron warning, which means they are expected to make reasonable efforts to become financially self-sufficient. If a Gavron warning was issued in your case and your former spouse has failed to take steps toward independence, you may petition the court to reduce or terminate spousal support.

How to Request an Alimony Modification

If you need to modify your alimony payments, you must go through the legal process—do not stop making payments on your own. The proper legal steps include:

1. Filing a request for modification – You must file a formal petition with the court to request a change.
2. Providing evidence – You will need to present documentation showing why an adjustment is necessary, such as proof of job loss or medical records.
3. Attending a court hearing – Both parties will have the opportunity to present their case, and the judge will determine whether a modification is warranted.
4. Receiving a new court order – If the court approves the modification, a new alimony order will go into effect.
   
   

Speak with a Roseville Alimony Lawyer Today

At Hoss Law, we understand that financial situations change, and alimony orders should be fair based on current circumstances. If you are struggling to keep up with alimony payments or believe your support order should be adjusted, we can help you through the legal process.

Call 844-4HOSSLAW or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced Roseville alimony attorney today.