I realize that agreements made as a result of a divorce or custody agreements sometimes need to be altered. The courts do too - as long as the agreement is fair.

Sometimes a special financial need, medical condition, change of residence or other circumstance requires an existing agreement to be modified.

Whatever the reason, if it is valid, Massachusetts family courts can revisit an existing agreement - whether it's for a modification of your child support, visitation and even custody on the rare occasion.

Any request you make for modification is essentially a lawsuit against the other parent or ex-spouse and should be filed with the courts - with assistance from your attorney. And it's not just the custodial parent that can seek to have the agreement modified - the non-custodial parent can as well.

Some of the reasons why you may wish to have your agreement modified are:

• The visitation schedule has become unworkable due to employment commitments or change of address.
• The non-custodial parent is making significantly more money than when the agreement was first put into effect.
• A sudden medical emergency puts an unfair financial burden on the parent that has custody.
• The parent that does not have custody - but pays child support - loses their job or has some other significant change in their employment that severely impacts their ability to pay.
• Or even when the parent that has custody moves out of state and renders an existing visitation agreement worthless.

In Massachusetts, the only part of the agreement you can't have the court revisit is property distribution.

The entire process of seeking to modify a support, visitation or custody agreement is to make sure the children's rights and best interests are protected.

It's really not meant to be used to settle a score with the other parent or address arguments that have existed for some time.

Only rely on the modification process when a significant event has occurred that will have a definite impact on the children.

If you need assistance with modifying an existing agreement in the Boston area, contact me by clicking here or call me at (617) 273-5110.

Rates:
For Child Support Modification - Fixed Fee
For All Other Modifications - Hourly Fee.