In the months or years after a divorce is finalized, situations change. People get new jobs, retire or remarry, and therefore, the financial situations of each former spouse are likely to be very different to how they were when the initial alimony order was made.

It is not uncommon for one former spouse to wish to change the terms of the alimony order. There are some situations when this can be done successfully, the following being some of the most common.

Mutual agreement to modify alimony

In an ideal situation, both former spouses can talk with each other and reach a mutual agreement that the alimony order should be modified to accompany the present state of affairs. This can be done without the court’s involvement; however, this would mean that the agreement would not be legally enforceable.

Temporary modification measures

If one person loses his or her job or for medical reasons is facing hefty bills, a temporary modification of alimony can occur to make the situation fairer for both parties.

A former spouse cohabits with another person

If the person receiving alimony moves in with another person that he or she is in a relationship with, the payor may have a case in applying to reduce alimony support, since the recipient is likely to have financial support by other means. The recipient has a right to object to this, but must prove that there is still a financial need.

If you are looking into ways that you can successfully modify your alimony payments, you should first identify a good reason as to why you believe that they should be modified.

Source: Live About, “4 Reasons to Request a Modification of Alimony,” accessed Feb. 21, 2018