A lot can change over the course of time when raising a child. While the original child support order that was put into effect to provide for your child may have been adequate and fair at the time it was ordered, this may no longer be the case. If your child's financial needs have changed or the non-custodial parent's income has changed, it may be necessary to seek a child support modification order to ensure your child is getting the proper amount of support from both of their parents. When asking the court to issue a modification order, you may wish to hire a child support attorney to represent you. 

An Attorney Will Be Able To Act As A Buffer

It is unlikely that the non-custodial parent will be happy to hear you are seeking additional child support from them. In many cases, this can cause a great deal of tension and can make it difficult to focus on what is your most important task: raising your child. Choosing to hire a child support attorney will allow you to enjoy a buffer of sorts between you and your child's other parent. Allowing your attorney to communicate with your ex rather than you communicating with them directly regarding this manner will prevent emotional outbursts that could damage your ability to work together in the future to provide the best possible care for your child.

Get Help Proving Hidden Income

If your child's non-custodial parent owns their own business or is paid as an independent contractor rather than a W-2 employee, proving to the court just how much they make can be a very difficult task. This can be problematic since child support orders are typically based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent's income. An experienced child support attorney can help you to find proof of any hidden income your ex may have and present this proof to the court in order to secure the modification order that you seek.

Clearly Establish Your Child's Needs

If you are seeking an increase in child support payments due to a significant increase in your child's needs, you will have to clearly establish these needs in order to successfully obtain a modification. This is especially true in cases where the non-custodial parent is already making child support payments that are considered sufficient to meet the needs of the average child. A child support attorney will be able to help you collect any medical, educational, or other documentation necessary to clearly show the amount of the increased need and establish when this need began and how long it is expected to last. 

Contact a child support attorney in your area to learn more.