Getting a divorce involves making an agreement about things such as child support, alimony, and visitation times. However, these decrees are not inviolable and can be subject to change. If you are currently seeking to modify an existing divorce decree, you need to speak to a Sandy divorce lawyer from Brown Family Law.
Perhaps you are seeking to change visitation times or adjust the amount of alimony you receive. Whatever your goal, we can provide legal representation to protect your rights and promote your interests.
We have over 150 years of combined legal experience with an exclusive focus on family law. Call us today to schedule an appointment with a divorce decree modification lawyer in Sandy.
How Brown Family Law Can Help
Our team at Brown Family Law believes in a smarter way to do divorce. A family lawyer in Sandy from our firm can be your point of contact for all matters related to family law. We know that divorce issues can result in high tensions and emotions, so we work to find smart solutions that emphasize cooperation over conflict.
We can use our knowledge of family law to negotiate on your behalf and handle the administrative burden of interacting with family courts. We emphasize practical solutions that shorten timelines and avoid long and expensive litigation. If necessary, we are fully prepared to represent your interests in court.
Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce
Modifying a Divorce Decree in Sandy
Divorce decrees are meant to give a sort of finality to divorce, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be changed after the fact. A decree modification allows you to change parts of a divorce decree if there has been a significant change in your circumstances.
Both parties can make an informal agreement to change something about a divorce, but it’s a good idea to get a formal modification. A formal modification establishes each party’s new obligations and expectations, and avoids ambiguity that could become problematic down the road.
A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce
Parts of a Divorce Decree You Can Modify
Issues related to property division generally cannot be changed, but you may be able to request to have the following aspects of your divorce decree modified:
- Child custody. Courts can modify who has legal and physical custody of children with a divorce modification decree.
- Visitation times. If one parent’s schedule has substantially changed, you can request a corresponding change in visitation and parenting time.
- Child support. If one spouse has had a significant change in their income and employment, a change in child support obligations can be requested.
- Alimony. If one spouse loses their income or gets remarried, it could justify a change in spousal support payments.
When Can I Request a Divorce Modification?
Divorce decrees are legally binding orders, so they must be followed by both parties on pain of sanction. You cannot ask to change a divorce decree just because; you must show that there has been a substantial and material change in your life that warrants reconsidering the decision.
Below are major life changes that may justify modifying an existing decree:
- Loss or gain of employment
- Developing a significant illness
- Relocating
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Birth of another child
- Concerns about child welfare
- One spouse remarries
- Violations of existing decree
If you are unsure of whether your change counts as substantial, you can discuss your case with a Sandy divorce decree modification lawyer from Brown Family Law.
Process of Modifying a Divorce Decree in Sandy, UT
Below is the general process of modifying a divorce decree in Utah:
- Complete a petition. The first step is submitting a petition for a modification of a divorce decree. The petition highlights which aspects you want to change and what the new decree should say.
- File in court. You need to file your petition in the court in the jurisdiction where you were divorced. You may also have to pay a filing fee when you submit documents.
- Notify the other party. The other party must receive a notification of your petition to modify. You can personally give the document or use a process server.
- Attend mediation. You may have to attend a mediation if the divorce modification is contested. During mediation, both parties sit down and reach an agreement.
- Sign the Stipulation. If both parties agree to the terms of the modification, they can sign an agreement, called a Stipulation, formalizing the changes.
- Go to trial. If the modified decree is still contested, you can escalate the case to formal litigation in a modification hearing.
Brown Family Law: Sandy Divorce Decree Modification Lawyer
Your life may change after a divorce, and that can warrant reconsidering an existing divorce order. Brown Family Law understands that changes can be significant and will work to help you change your decree to match your life circumstances. We are here to offer compassionate legal counsel that fits your needs.
Send us a message online or call today to speak to a Sandy divorce decree modification lawyer.
