Modifying temporary orders when dealing with unemployment

Question: My ex is requesting an increase in the amount of child support I pay even though I am currently unemployed. Can I file temporary orders to modify child support until we have to go back to court?

Can I modify child support upon retirement?

Question: I am a non-custodial father. If I retire, is that considered a “change in circumstances” thus warranting a modification of child support based on my lower income?

Which parent would receive a greater benefit to claiming the children on taxes?

Question: In my divorce decree there is a provision that whichever parent has the greatest benefit to claiming the children on the taxes should claim them. That parent should then pay the other parent the amount that they would have received had they claimed the children. In my situation, my …

Money Made Easy: Tax Rules Changes

In this week’s Money Made Easy, financial adviser Dan Danford answers this financial question from a viewer: I think tax rules change from year to year, so what are the big tax changes I should be aware of this year before filing? Danford, MBA, CRSP, of Family Investment Center, says …

Options for Child Support When Unemployed

By Andrea Johnson Attorney, Cordell & Cordell With the current economic situation, many unemployed divorced dads cannot afford child support payments. Some just pay what they can for a period of time until they find another job. Others make informal agreements with their former spouse about a temporary modification. Both …

Divorce and Taxes: Alimony and Child Support

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell Divorce can bring some big changes to the way you file your taxes and which exemptions and deductions you can claim. With tax season just beginning to ramp up, here is some information to get you started on your federal taxes in …

Are bonuses included in calculating child support?

Question: I receive a bonus from the military roughly every five years. Will this income be included when calculating my child support payments? If so, how could they count an irregular bonus as part of my annual gross income?

Money Made Easy: Tax Filing Status

In this week’s Money Made Easy, financial adviser Dan Danford answers this financial question from a viewer: What qualifies someone for “head of household” tax status? Do you have to claim a child as a dependent to qualify? What if you don’t have children but are the primary wage earner …

Can I get temporary support orders reduced or eliminated?

Question: I have been ordered to pay temporary child support and alimony payments during the pendency of my divorce. However, one child is 18 years old and I am unemployed living in a friend’s apartment while my wife lives for free in her boyfriend’s house and has a full-time job. …

Is there a legal issue with retroactive child support?

Question: I was recently ordered to pay child support at a percentage rate of 20% of my earnings, which I have no problem with. But at the closing of the hearing, the judge decided to apply retroactive child support and add it to the original amount which would increase my …