Applying Child Support Modification Retroactively

Question: Do child support laws allow modifications to be made retroactive? About 6 months ago, I sustained a 20% salary reduction, but I did not file a petition to modify child support until recently. If the judge grants the decrease in child support, would it be made retroactive to the …

Modifying Child Support When On Disability

Question: I pay child support for my son who is now receiving benefits from the state because of my permanent disability. He was awarded more in benefits than what my monthly child support payments are. Can my son’s benefits he is receiving because of my disability be allocated on my …

Legal Separation Advice: Getting Separated To Avoid Financial Consequences

Question: I’m looking for legal separation advice as a way to possible avoid wage garnishments. My husband’s wages are being garnished for income taxes. We were thinking of getting a legal separation in case my income could possibly become garnished as well if he does not fulfill his obligation. Would …

Too Poor To Divorce?

By Robin Klein Houston Divorce Lawyer With housing values at near-record lows, wide-ranging cuts in salaries and a dramatic rise in unemployment rates, many couples are just not divorcing because they are afraid they can’t afford it. After all, people on a fixed income typically do not have the thousands …

Money Made Easy: Alternatives To Mutual Funds

When looking at the turbulent markets, many people wish they had other alternatives to mutual funds to invest. There are very few people who want to invest in the stock market; they do so because they have to, according to financial adviser Dan Danford. But Danford, CFP®, CRSP®, MBA, explains …

Modifying Child Support When Ex-Wife Is Unemployed

Question: My current child support agreement has me paying 75% of our children’s expenses. Now that my ex-wife is unemployed, she wants to file for a child support modification so I am responsible for all child support expenses. Will the courts impute income to her or can child support simply …

If I Already Pay Child Support Do I Also Pay For Insurance?

Question: My question is about child support and health insurance. I recently started a new job and declined their health insurance coverage because I cannot afford it. Can the state make me provide insurance on my child that I already pay child support for even though I cannot even afford …

How Child Support Is Affected By Taking A Lower-Paying Job

Question: Will the courts lower my child support if I voluntarily chose to accept a job with lower pay? I would like to return to the profession I worked in prior to my marriage that I really enjoyed, but it would come at a substantial decrease in pay for at …

Should I Stop Putting Money In My 401k Before A Divorce?

Question: I need financial advice on divorce on how to protect my assets and 401k. I think we are heading to divorce, and I assume I am going to need all the extra money I can to afford the best divorce lawyer. I was considering stopping my contributions to my …

Child Support: Why The Need For Wage Garnishment

Question: My child support question is about wage garnishment. I have a monthly child support obligation that I have never failed to meet. Recently I switched from writing checks to paying electronically, and now my is refusing to accept the electronic checks. So the child support enforcement agency is now …