Are you considering a request for a post divorce decree modification to child custody or parenting time, maintenance or child support? What is “Status Quo” and how does it affect the likely success of a post-decree modification after a Jefferson County or Louisville divorce?
Kentucky family law courts are quite busy, and most courts including the family law courts in Louisville are looking for a significant change in the “Status Quo” before agreeing to hear a post decree case.
The “Status Quo” is a legal term which basically represents the financial condition between the parties at the time the divorce decree was issued. The court will usually want to see a significant change in the Status Quo in order to grant a request for modification of child custody or support or maintenance.
This can include a significant increase or decrease in earnings for either the recipient or the payor. If the person paying support has lost their job, or has received a substantial and permanent cut in pay (usually more than 10%) this usually represents enough of a change to warrant consideration for a post divorce decree modification.
Other changes may include the payment of healthcare insurance for the children, recovery from an alcohol or drug addiction or cohabitation by the recipient of maintenance. If the person paying support has received a substantial promotion, raise or bonus this may constitute a substantial change in the Status Quo.
What constitutes a change in the status quo for a post divorce decree modification in many Louisville and Jefferson County divorces? The Judges in Jefferson County often address this in the original divorce decree. There is often verbiage which addresses this specific issue and the experienced post-decree modification attorneys at Dodd & Dodd can review the situation and provide sound advice based upon decades of practical experience here in Jefferson County Family Law Courts.
If you are considering a request to modify child custody, child support or maintenance orders in Jefferson County we invite you to contact us or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced attorneys.
