What if I Lose My Job and Can’t Pay Child Support?

If you have a child support obligation, it remains in effect until it is modified or until the children addressed in it reach adulthood. This means that losing your job will not automatically have any bearing on your legal responsibility. If you have lost your job, however, it may represent a material and substantial change in circumstances that the court will take into consideration, depending on the reasons behind the job loss. In other words, the first order of business is seeking legal guidance in the buildup to filing for a child support modification. Our experienced Harrisburg child support attorneys at McDonald Myers Law are standing by to help.

When Job Loss Supports a Child Support Modification in Harrisburg, PA 

Before a Pennsylvania court will modify a child support order, the parent seeking it must prove that they have experienced a significant change in their financial circumstances. For this change to warrant a modification, the circumstances involved must be carefully considered.

If losing your job was out of your control and if it lowered your income substantially, the court will be more inclined to grant you a modification. If you’re also taking the steps necessary to secure another job, it is similarly likely to work in your favor. 

If, however, you were fired for misconduct or simply quit your job, a modification is unlikely to be granted. Ultimately, if you are directly responsible for the reduction in income you’ve experienced, a child support modification will not be forthcoming.

Moving Forward

Until you can obtain a child support modification, your current orders remain in effect. This makes it very important to continue paying the amount you currently owe until the court says otherwise.

The Support Conference

The child support modification process begins with both parents attending a required support conference at the Domestic Relations Office. At this meeting, a designated conference officer will review the relevant financial documentation and calculate the updated obligation. If both parents agree on the matter, the modification will be signed and finalized.

The Court Hearing

If you and your ex cannot reach an agreement, your case will go to court. Child support modification cases in Harrisburg are heard at the Dauphin County Domestic Relations Office.

The most important step you can take in response to job loss and related child support concerns is consulting with a knowledgeable child support lawyer early on and taking their advice seriously. 

Turn to Our Experienced Harrisburg Child Support Lawyers for the Help You Need

Losing your job is stressful, and if it interferes with your ability to pay child support, it can be more so. Our seasoned Harrisburg child support attorneys at McDonald Myers Law appreciate the significance of your case, and we will bring the full force of our experience and legal skill to pursue a modification that fairly reflects your current circumstances. Learn more about everything we can do to help by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 717-704-9077 today.