Life Changes — Your Court Orders Should Too
Court orders in family law cases are based on the circumstances at the time they’re entered. But life doesn’t stand still: people move, incomes change, children grow, and new relationships form. If your current court orders no longer work, Illinois law allows you to request a modification.
What Can Be Modified in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, you can request a modification of:
Child custody (parental responsibilities)
Parenting time (visitation)
Child support
Spousal support (maintenance/alimony)
Provisions in parenting plans related to decision-making or scheduling
When Can You Modify a Court Order?
In most cases, modifications require a “substantial change in circumstances” that affects the fairness or practicality of the original order. Examples include:
One parent gets a new job or loses income
A child’s needs change due to age, health, or school
One parent relocates
Parenting time isn’t being followed or respected
The current support amount is no longer accurate
Remarriage, cohabitation, or other major life changes
Modifying Specific Orders
Modifying Child Support
You can modify a child support order if there’s been a significant change in income, health insurance availability, or parenting time. Common reasons include:
Job loss or income reduction
Significant raise or new employment
Change in daycare, medical, or educational expenses
Change in the amount of time each parent spends with the child
Modifying Spousal Support (Maintenance)
Spousal support can often be modified — or terminated — if:
The recipient remarries or cohabitates
The paying party’s income has dropped significantly
The original duration of maintenance has ended
Either party retires, becomes disabled, or experiences a material change in need or ability to pay
217 Law Attorneys
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Courtney Anderson
Courtney practices criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Never shy of a difficult or high-profile case, she has won numerous awards for her advocacy, including recently being selected as a finalist for top lawyer in Macon County.
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Fallon Conner
Fallon practices criminal defense and family law. As a former prosecutor, she has unique insight into the criminal justice system. She enjoys being in the courtroom and has a great track record of success in bench and jury trials.
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Zach Anderson
Zach focuses on helping injured clients with workers compensation, personal injury, and products liability claims. He has successfully resolved multiple single-party injury cases for over $1 million, and has helped recover millions for users of bad products.
We want to work with you.
Phone:
217-217-0217
Address:
132 S. Water St., Suite 628. Decatur, IL 62523
Email:
info@217law.com
Where We Work:
We help clients throughout the 217 area code with injury claims and general civil litigation. We practice criminal defense and family law in Macon and surrounding counties.
