McKinney Divorce Modification Lawyer
A strong divorce decree or court order can make the best ending to one of the most dramatic life changes you can face. For many parents, a well-crafted divorce decree can serve them for many years. However, if you, the other parent or a child experiences a change of circumstances, you may need to seek a modification of the divorce agreement or court order.
Melody Petitt is a skilled divorce modification lawyer serving McKinney, TX, and the surrounding areas. When there is a substantial change to finances or employment for you or the other parent, we can assist you in creating and filing a divorce modification. Schedule a consultation with our family law attorney today to get started on your case.
Learn more about how our McKinney divorce modification attorney by contacting us at (469) 716-6893 today!
Benefits of Legal Representation by the Divorce Modification Attorney at Petitt Family Law
Changes to your divorce decree or court order must be filed in your local family court, similarly to your original divorce papers. Hopefully, a skilled lawyer to prepared your divorce agreement or court order and you will need solid legal advice to create the modify your divorce decree or court order. Trying to negotiate changes without a qualified divorce modification attorney can be full of challenges.
We value forging a strong attorney-client relationship for every case. Trust, integrity, quality, and thoroughness are all guiding principles for Attorney Melody Petitt. She dedicates her full resources to working with you compassionately and knowledgeably.
Our Law Firm Helps You Navigate the Complexities of Divorce Modification
Your divorce decree is the legal document reflecting the end of your marriage. This divorce decree outlines the division of your assets and drives the decisions on child custody and child support. When the situation changes for either parent or a child, you have the right to seek a modification of the final decree of divorce
It is crucial to understand that some alterations, such as seeking an increase or decrease in child support, can trigger harsh feelings and a sense of being attacked. Our family law attorney can help you hammer out a modification that suits both parties by maintaining a neutral influence. Our caring but objective approach focuses on achieving the best possible outcome.
Types of Divorce Modifications We Handle
Divorce agreements or decrees can cover a wide range of needs for each ex-spouse. In Texas, the most common types involve changes to child custody, visitation or possession and access, and sometimes spousal support. Parents who change residence may also decide to ask for a child custody modification.
Custodial parents can seek a child support modification if the non-custodial parent sees a significant increase in income. Likewise, if the non-custodial parent loses their job, they may request a reduction in their obligations. The office of the Texas Attorney General has many valuable resources on its website to assist you in understanding your options before you speak with us.
Strong feelings around alimony and child support can cloud your thinking. Former spouses may try to hurt one another by fighting over money that is meant to promote the health and well-being of their offspring. At Petitt Family Law, we are devoted to overcoming these roadblocks by crafting a modification agreement that achieves the most satisfactory compromise for everyone.
Alimony, Child Support, and Other Post-Divorce Modifications
The ultimate goal of any divorce decree should be to serve the best interests of the child or children. Seeking changes in alimony, child support, custody, and any other such modifications should be addressed with that goal in mind. You can seek a change to a court order on topics such as:
Alimony or Spousal Maintenance
In Texas, there is a limit on alimony of $5,000 a month or 20% of the non-custodial parent’s income, whichever is greater. The family court will examine each parent’s education and employment history, as well as the needs of the children when rendering a decision.
Child Support
If your financial situation has changed substantially since the original child support order was issued, you can request a modification for the amount you pay. Some common situations in which this may arise include:
- There have been changes in medical and dental coverage, such as the loss of insurance.
- A child experiences a disability or other medical condition that significantly increases their care expenses.
- The child is living with a different parent, such as choosing to move to the non-custodial parent’s home.
- The non-custodial parent has experienced a change in income (increase or decrease).
- The non-custodial parent has other children they are now legally responsible to support.
Child Custody
Child custody can be joint or sole. If circumstances warrant a change, a parent can initiate a custody case to request a modification. For example, if the custodial parent feels the non-custodial parent is no longer able to provide a safe and stable home, they could ask that visitation rights be changed.
Other Reasons to Request a Divorce Modification
You may seek a divorce modification regarding spousal support, child custody, or child support as a result of many circumstances. Courts may grant these changes based on situations such as:
- Either parent remarries.
- Either parent chooses to relocate farther from or closer to the other parent.
- One parent becomes unemployed or gets a promotion, affecting their income.
- Either parent suffers a severe illness or injury.
- Either parent shows indications of drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, or endangering the child.
- One parent is arrested or convicted and must serve time.
Understanding the Divorce Modification Process
Navigating the divorce modification process can be daunting, but having a clear understanding of the steps involved can ease your journey. At Petitt Family Law, we believe that knowledge is power, and we are committed to empowering our clients with the information they need. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect during the modification process:
- Initial Consultation: During your first meeting with our experienced attorneys, we will discuss your specific situation, goals, and the modifications you seek.
- Gathering Documentation: We will help you compile the necessary documents, including financial records, custody agreements, and any other relevant information to support your case.
- Filing the Petition: Once we have all the required documentation, we will file the modification petition with the court on your behalf.
- Negotiation: Our team will negotiate with the other party to reach a fair agreement. We prioritize your interests while aiming for a resolution that benefits everyone involved.
- Court Hearing: If an agreement cannot be reached, we will represent you at the court hearing, presenting your case effectively to ensure your voice is heard.
- Final Order: Once the court has made a decision, we will assist you in understanding the final order and any next steps you may need to take.
By understanding each step of the divorce modification process, you can approach your case with confidence. Our dedicated team at Petitt Family Law is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your rights and interests are protected. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a personalized consultation.
We Are Experienced and Here to Help with Your Divorce Modification Case
At Petitt Family Law, we offer over 20 years of experience with all kinds of cases involving divorce, child support, and child custody. We can assist you with your original case and be there to guide you when the time comes to request modifications. You can rely on our experience and attention to detail to meet your needs and those of your children.
We are committed to helping families in their time of need. We work hard to resolve your legal concerns quickly and completely. Our law firm is committed to building a strong relationship that will let us serve you whenever you need legal representation.
Contact us or call (469) 716-6893 to schedule a consultation with our divorce modification attorney today.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
-
Excellent, professional and knowledgeable staff. Always ready to serve your family law requests.- Ross
-
You don’t know what you don’t know. However, you do know when something is not working out. With that said, I went through a couple of attorneys before being represented by Melody Petitt and that made all the difference.
I will start off saying that the divorce process is like a game. And the law is the rule book, which is a constant that does not change. Where the game gets interesting are the players involved, petitioner, respondent and legal team. Every case is unique, yet some attorneys approach the process as if it’s all the same. However, in my case, we were dealing with a high conflict personality; and, it cannot be taken lightly. Unlike my prior attorneys, Melody jumped on my case and took the time to really understand my situation and what we were dealing with. She took the time to educate me on the law and how it applied in my situation, whether it was something I wanted to hear or not. The law is the law. She knew how to deal with the opposing party. Strategy was the key, and she was prepared for anything. She earned my trust and with that trust, she help make this process tolerable. Most importantly, she was able to get my case wrapped up in a timely manner with a desirable outcome. An outcome that would not have been possible otherwise. I highly recommend Melody Petitt.
- Dai -
Melody was easy to work with, listened to what I had to say, and helped me navigate a complicated divorce. Her knowledge of the law made it easy to feel confident in our case. She was very professional and could not have been more thorough. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great attorney who is willing to fight for you.- Taylor
-
Melody exemplifies everything that I needed in an attorney. She followed through on every aspect of what she said she would do. Along the way, she always kept my interests in mind when following up with the courts and giving me closure. All this in just a few short weeks before closing out the 2020 year during a pandemic.
In my previous experiences, I’ve always had to chase down my attorney or come up with the solutions on my own. Melody was the exact opposite of that. Replies were very timely, and she came up with solutions prior to discussing with me with any setbacks that would come up.
My only regret is not hiring her initially several years ago.
- Anonymous -
Melody Petitt handled my case quickly and thoroughly. I was so happy with her dedication to keeping my family and I safe and getting the proper legal measures in order. She was able to get my Protective Order filed and eventually won while keeping me informed and confident through the whole thing. I would highly recommend her to anyone.- Anonymous
-
Melody handled my case with care & logic. She challenged me when I was leading with emotional rather than logic, and understood when she needed to pull back. She was an excellent partner through the whole process, and I have already recommended her to others.- Anonymous
-
Melody and the firm’s staff gave us excellent assistance in our successful effort to gain custodial control of our grandson. She guided us through the process, timely filed all documents and gave us great representation in the court proceedings.- Steven
-
As a single father living in a different state, Melody was knowledgeable about Family Law regarding my specific circumstance. She was personable and well versed in jurisdictional law in Texas and interprets the law similarly to the Court. Melody was respectful of my want to minimize cost but did not cut corners either. Melody and her staff was was communicative throughout the process. You will not find a better attorney than Melody Petitt!- Darryl
Why Choose Petitt Family Law?
-
Work with a dedicated law firm with positive reviews from happy clients.
-
Attorney Melody Petitt has over 2 decades of family law experience.
-
Meet with Petitt Family Law during a virtual consultation!
-
Our law firm focuses all of our practice on family law.