How to get a reduction in alimony payment?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

How to get a reduction in alimony payment?

I reside and work outside the US. The magistrate has ordered alimony based on an old salary that i no longer make (I had a pay reduction of 40% 5 months ago). The country that I work and reside in has no tax and no public records to prove my salary( eg.W-2).  The divorce is filed in FL. What do I do if I cannot pay this amount of alimony but do not want to be in contempt of court?

Asked on November 14, 2010 under Family Law, Florida

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

Changed circumstances such as a change in income would be grounds for requesting a modification of spousal support.  You could file an Order to Show Cause requesting a modification of spousal support.  An Order to Show Cause is a court form requesting a hearing on this matter.  You would also file an Application For Order and Supporting Declaration.  These are also court forms.  Your supporting declaration signed under penalty of perjury would state the reasons that you are seeking a modification of spousal support.  Your argument would be changed circumstances due to your reduced income which you would state in your declaration and would argue at the hearing.  After completing these forms and filing them with the court with an attached proof of service, you will need to serve the documents with the proof of service on your ex-spouse. When you file the Order to Show Cause with the court, the court will set a date for a hearing.

Since your residence is outside the U.S., you should have someone obtain these forms from the court and send them to you.  You can complete the forms and have someone file them with the court for you.  Check with the court and the judge's law clerk to find out if you can participate in the hearing by telephone so that you won't have to return to the U.S. for the hearing.

It would also be advisable to check with the court clerk in case Florida has different names for the court forms I have mentioned.

Although you don't have a W-2 or public records to prove your salary, you could still provide copies of the checks you receive to prove your salary and/or a statement signed under penalty of perjury from your employer stating your present salary.  If it is not possible to provide copies of your paycheck or to obtain a statement under penalty of perjury from your employer documenting your present salary, you would still have your own declaration under penalty of perjury stating your present salary which you could file with the court.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption