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Rockford Divorce Lawyer James Teeter

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Illinois Post Case Modification Attorney & Divorce Order Modification Lawyer

Finalizing a divorce does not always mean that an individual’s family law issues are over. As families evolve, it is not unusual for ex-spouses to want to change a prior divorce decree’s provisions regarding child custody, child support, or spousal maintenance. For a modification to be issued, however, the party seeking to update a decree must prove a substantial change in circumstances.

At Rockford Family Law, we have helped clients successfully pursue and oppose modifications for over a decade. If your circumstances have substantially changed since the time of your divorce, we invite you to call our office to schedule a free consultation with experienced Illinois divorce decree modification attorney James Teeter, Jr.  He can listen to the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and tenaciously seek to accomplish your objectives.

Modifications & Enforcement FAQs

A substantial change of circumstances can encompass (but is not limited to):

  • Significant changes in income;
  • Physical relocation of a custodial parent;
  • Issues regarding a child’s welfare;
  • Changes in a child’s needs; or
  • An individual refuses to follow a current child custody order.

If you have experienced a substantial change in circumstances and believe that a post-case modification is needed, we urge you to call our office to learn more about your rights and options.

Provisions related to child custody and support are typically binding; however, it may be possible to have specific provisions modified if a court agrees that a modification is in order. To do so, the party seeking the change generally must show that a substantial change in circumstances has arisen since the entry of the original order, meaning the terms of an order cannot be changed simply because of inconvenience.

If a modification may be warranted, it is critical to file as soon as possible, as the burden of proof can become greater if a motion to modify is filed at a later date. For example, if significant time passes, the other party could argue that the filing was out of spite instead of necessity, as no mention of an issue had previously arisen.

Divorce orders are commonly modified to address:

  • Child Custody. As a child develops, a child custody and visitation agreement may become unworkable, and the resulting situation may no longer be in the child’s best interests. If your child custody order is compromising your child’s best interests, it may be possible to petition for a visitation or child custody change.
  • Child Support. If an ex-spouse receives a significant promotion and raise, it may necessitate updating the support amount your child receives.
  • Job Relocations. Many individuals are offered career advancements in exchange for relocating. If such a situation arises, it may be possible to petition for a change in the existing visitation schedule or custody.
  • Spousal Support (also referred to as spousal maintenance or alimony). Often a party may retire, become disabled, or lose their job, limiting their earning potential. In such cases, it may be possible to petition for a modification of spousal support. Alternatively, if an individual’s income has decreased significantly or they have had difficulty achieving self-sufficiency, it may be possible to petition for or extend support.

Regardless of the reason you are seeking or opposing a modification, we are here to help. As an experienced Rockford modification and enforcement lawyer, firm-founding attorney James Teeter, Jr. can zealously advocate on your behalf in seeking a favorable determination that meets your objectives.

Yes. Under Illinois law,[1] spousal maintenance can be automatically terminated in the event of:

  • Cohabitation with a new partner;
  • Remarriage; or
  • The death of either party.

If an ex-spouse receives payments after one of these events occurs, he or she will be responsible for paying back such amounts.

[1] 750 ILCS 5/510.

Once a reasonable amount of time has transpired, almost all custodial and financial issues related to a child are subject to modification, as Illinois courts must have a means to accommodate changes in circumstances. It is vital to ensure that during any waiting period, parents conduct themselves in the most favorable light possible. For example, an individual should strive to be a model, nurturing parent, taking an active interest in promoting the best interests of their child.

Exemplary behavior can significantly enhance a modification case; conversely, noncompliance or bad behavior can be just as damaging. For example, if an individual consistently skips visitation or fails to make child support payments, it could have negative ramifications. Thus, it is vital to engage in model behavior, such as:

  • Making consistent, timely child support payments;
  • Complying with visitation and custody schedules;
  • Sincerely attempting to resolve disputes amicably; and
  • Ensuring court complaints are not premature or minor, as this could signal to a court that a party is being vengeful or vindictive.

Contact Our Office Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Divorce Decree Modification Lawyer

As an experienced Illinois divorce order modification law firm, Rockford Family Law provides intelligent, dedicated representation to parties seeking or opposing a modifications, ensuring clients the quality representation we would expect for ourselves.

If you would like to seek to update the terms of a prior order or desire to oppose a modification petition, we invite you to call our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Rockford post-case modification attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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Attorney James O. Teeter, Jr. speaking with client. Attorney James O. Teeter, Jr. speaking with client.

Family Law Attorney James O. Teeter Jr.
With 25+ Years of Legal Experience
is Here to Represent You!

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(Available for Most Cases)

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We’re sorry, we are not a Pro Bono or Legal Aid office. This is a free no-obligation phone consultation, but we do charge for our services, if you decide to hire our Attorney.

Submission of information through the contact form does not create an attorney-client relationship, so please do not submit any confidential information. If we are to serve as your attorneys, all fees and the nature of our representation will be set forth in a written agreement.

$199 CONSULTATION

Your 1st Hour for $275 – ONLY $199.00, PLUS 30-Minutes FREE (1.5 Hours) with No-Obligation
In-Depth Discussion of Your Specific Situation and Potential Strategy for Your Success

Type of Case:*
Illinois County:*

Submission of information through the contact form does not create an attorney-client relationship, so please do not submit any confidential information. If we are to serve as your attorneys, all fees and the nature of our representation will be set forth in a written agreement.