Child Support, Unemployment and Debt

As unemployment rises, more and more people are having trouble making their child support payments.

The soft economy has resulted in an increase in the number of child support payers who have lost their jobs and are going to court seeking to temporarily cut their child support payments. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that in May 2009, 39 percent of America’s divorce attorneys said they have experienced a greater number of requests for child support modifications. An additional 42 percent report a rise in alimony change requests.

"When a divorced person loses a job or has take a pay cut, a request to make modifications to a child support or alimony payment arrangement often follows," said Gary Nickelson, AAML president. "With job losses becoming so widespread, our members are subsequently noticing a sizeable increase of these modifications taking place."

Flooded with modification seekers due to the rising unemployment rate, some states and courts are taking measures to work with parents who owe child support. These states are trying to show some flexibility and responsiveness. The state of Oregon, for example, has set up an expedited system for modification requests for parents who have lost their jobs.

If you are in debt, unemployed, and have child support payments that you are struggling to meet, in some states there might be things that you can do. If you are suffering real hardship, you might want to speak to your attorney about the possibility of seeking a temporary modification in your child support.