Post-Divorce Modifications Attorney

Experienced Lawyer Helping You Resolve Issues After Your Final Divorce Decree in Richmond, VA or the Surrounding Cities and Counties

As couples prepare for divorce, each party will need to make many decisions. Child support, child custody, equitable distribution of assets, and spousal support are only a few of the many concerns that may need to be addressed. Even if you do the best you can to make sound choices with the information you have at the time, life has a way of changing in unexpected ways. Situations may arise that make your existing arrangements difficult to maintain, and post-divorce modifications may need to be made to your court orders.

It is important to understand how you can protect your rights and best interests in all family law matters, including post-decree requests for modifications. You need to partner with an experienced lawyer who will focus on achieving your goals. Because Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, has assisted Virginia families for over 45 years, we know the best ways to approach and resolve your issues. We can assist with family law cases in Richmond and other nearby communities, including Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Goochland County, Powhatan County, New Kent County, and Henrico County. Let us put our extensive legal knowledge to work for you.

Virginia Court Orders Are Enforceable

Whether you and your ex reached agreements through negotiations, mediation, or collaborative law, or if the Court made decisions following divorce litigation, arrangements that are accepted and approved by the Court become enforceable court orders. Like them or not, you are still obligated to abide by their terms. However, life changes can sometimes make these orders difficult to uphold.

Some people may try to make informal changes to their orders without involving an attorney or the court. While this option may sound like the best solution at first, it is not an enforceable way to modify a Court order. Formal entry of a modified order and sometimes also an agreement is needed to ensure that you are protected.

• Violating court orders can result in charges of contempt and other consequences. Even if you made a verbal agreement with your ex-spouse, he or she may accuse you of failing to follow the court orders that are in place.
• You cannot enforce an oral agreement, so if your ex-spouse does not comply, you have no way of forcing them to do so.
• Although you might save money by avoiding the costs of litigation or alternative dispute resolution, making an informal agreement may be more costly in the long run. If you are charged with contempt of court, or if you encounter disputes that must be resolved in the courtroom, you may face higher legal costs than you would have originally.
• Your informal agreement may not serve your or your children's best interests.

As your legal counsel we can help you avoid these consequences by examining your existing orders, evaluating changes in your circumstances, and developing an updated solution tailored to your needs.

New Situations Can Indicate the Need for Virginia Post-Divorce Modifications

When circumstances change substantially and materially, you can petition the court to modify the various orders it made during your divorce proceedings. Not all situations qualify for modifications; call our office to verify your eligibility. Compelling reasons to request modifications may include:

• Either party losing a job or gaining a significant increase in pay
• A debilitating or disabling illness or injury
• Criminal activity, charges, or incarceration
• Discovering a clear danger to your children
• Substantial changes in co-owned business interests
• One parent's plans to relocate to another state
• Active-duty military deployment or assignment to a new post

The laws that affect divorce, child custody, and financial support are complex, and you may not fully understand how to apply them to your situation. When you work with a skilled lawyer, you do not have to wonder whether your ex-spouse is trying to take advantage of you. We will steadfastly protect your best interests and request updates to your court orders to reflect your new situation.

If your ex-spouse is not upholding court-ordered obligations, we can also help you enforce them. We can make sure child custody or visitation agreements are followed correctly, and we can help you receive any support payments or other monetary funds that you are owed.

Call Our Post-Divorce Modifications Attorney Serving Richmond, Virginia and Nearby Cities and Counties

When life changes, you need the right lawyer to help you legally adjust court orders that may affect you and your family. Call 804-282-9226 to discuss your case with Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law. If you prefer, you can also contact us online.