Making Changes to Child Custody and Support Orders
Child custody and support orders are not written in stone. The same family law court that issued your divorce continues to have jurisdiction on issues that affect your child's best interests. If your circumstances or the circumstances of your children change after your divorce, custody and support agreements can be changed accordingly.
Overview of Post-Divorce Child Custody and Support Modifications
The following chart summarizes times when you can make post-divorce modifications to child custody and child support:
| Change in Circumstances | Post-Divorce Custody or Support Change |
| You lose your job or get a lower-paying job/ | Child support payments can be reduced. |
| You get a promotion or higher-paying job/ | Child support payments can be increased. |
| Your child is having problems at school or home/ | Child custody can be changed as long as two years have elapsed since the original or previous modification. |
| An older child wishes to live with another parent/ | Child custody can be changed as long as two years have elapsed since the original or previous modification. |
| A parent with residential custody wishes to relocate | A residential parent can only relocate with the permission of the joint managing conservator or the court. |
Enforcement of Child Custody and Support Orders
In Texas, you can be held in contempt of court if you violate a child custody or support order. Even if your spouse verbally agrees to make a change such as temporarily reducing child support, you should contact a lawyer and obtain court approval. If your spouse changes his or her mind later, you could be found in contempt of court and be ordered to pay past child support.
For more information about post-divorce modifications to child support or custody to schedule an attorney consultation: Call 866-503-1214 or fill out the contact form on this site. The Law Office of Thad Davis, PLLC is located in Lake Jackson in Brazoria County, Texas.
