The COVID-19 pandemic has created dramatic difficulties on people’s everyday lives. Millions of people lost their jobs and their livelihoods due to this public health crisis and are wondering how they will recover from such a devastating time. Federal stimulus checks are meant to help sustain basic necessities such as food, household items and utilities to keep Americans afloat; however, they don’t account for many of the other expenses Americans are expected to pay for, including child support.
If you owe child support, you are probably facing a daunting financial obligation to not only provide for yourself, but your child, too. Child support payments are automatically withdrawn from your account unless a court modifies these payments, and stimulus checks are not protected from such withdrawals. If a child support payment is overdue, the money from your stimulus check will be automatically withdrawn from your account. Luckily, there are options available to help make child support payments possible and financially bearable during COVID-19.
If you are dealing with financial hardships due to COVID-19, contact Attorney Lori Fishman online or call (954) 371-0229 for a FREE consultation to learn about your options.
Child Support Payment Options During COVID-19
Most businesses, including courthouses, have delayed operations until circumstances permit. These closures could last for weeks, maybe months, which means it may take longer for a court to grant you permission to modify your child support payment. The Law Offices of Lorri K. Fishman has the resources and insight needed to help you meet your financial goals without running into legal trouble.
The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) allows for modifications under these circumstances:
- Your current child support order will not end within 6 months from when the DOR receives your modification request
- Your support order has not been changed or reviewed in the last 3 years
- You can show a large change in your life:
- Increase or decrease in income
- Unemployment
- Incarceration
- Your child’s needs have changed
- There have been considerable changes in how much time your child spends with each parent
How to Best Obtain a Child Support Payment Modification
Many of these situations above, such as job loss and income change, may qualify you for a modification of your child support order. Your child’s expenses may increase if they’re quarantined with the other parent, and this matter alone could also help you secure an adjustment. You can also visit the Florida DOR website to explore your payment options during COVID-19. However, if you want a better chance at successfully modifying your order, you need a seasoned child support lawyer at the Law Offices of Lorri K. Fishman.
While all child support offices are temporarily closed, that doesn’t mean you are out of options: Attorney Lorri Fishman can advocate on your behalf to help expedite the process for your modification request and advise you on the best tactics for convincing your Child Support Office that you need a payment adjustment for the time being. With over 20 years of experience successfully assisting clients with their child support orders, you can trust that Attorney Fishman will exhaust every resource and exercise every skill possible to help you reduce your payment during COVID-19.
Contact Attorney Lorri Fishman online or call (954) 371-0229 to make an appointment for a free consultation!