Can I Modify Alimony Payments After The Divorce is Final?
The simple answer is yes. Unless your divorce decree specifically prohibits modification of alimony, you can always bring a motion before the court to modify alimony payments after the divorce has been finalized.
To do so, however, you have to demonstrate to the court that a change has occurred in either 1) your need for more alimony amount monthly or 2) the ability to pay the alimony that was originally ordered by the court.
If you’re requesting a change to lower the amount of alimony you must pay, you must show the court that your gross monthly income has been reduced by at least 20%. Remember that gross monthly income is income prior to any deductions taken from your check.
In the alternative, if you are requesting a larger amount of alimony per month, you must show that your financial circumstance has changed in that they have drastically been reduced due to a medical emergency, a disability, or any other justified increase in your monthly bills.
It is important to note, however, that once the ordered alimony has been met, modifications of alimony may not be possible unless the parties originally agreed to this in the divorce decree, or for some reason there was a possible mistake in the original order.
Overall, again, it is possible to modify alimony, barring any agreements prohibiting modification, but you must meet the criteria that the courts look at, such as your need and the ability to pay.
If you would like to modify your current alimony agreement, contact our office to set up a meeting with an experienced Family Law attorney. Contact us at (702) 998-1188, info@ljlawlv.com, or schedule an in-person or over the phone consultation via our online scheduler.
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