When life changes, your court order can too.
Jobs change, children grow, and families move. When your existing order no longer fits your life, attorney Jessica Ramirez-Garcia helps Miami-Dade and Broward clients ask the court to update child support, alimony, or time-sharing, or defend against a change they don’t agree with, in English or Spanish.
Call (305) 201-0529 · Hablamos Español
What can be modified
- Child support, when income, time-sharing, or the child’s needs change
- Alimony, when either spouse’s finances change significantly, including retirement
- Time-sharing and parenting plans, when the current schedule no longer serves the child
- Relocation, when a parent needs to move more than 50 miles
Property division in a final judgment generally cannot be modified.
What you need to show
For child support and alimony, you usually need to show a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. For child support, Florida courts look for a difference of at least 15% or $50 a month, whichever is greater, from the current amount.
For time-sharing, you must show a substantial and material change in circumstances and that the new plan is in the child’s best interest. Since 2023, Florida no longer requires that the change was unexpected.
How the process works
- Consultation. We review your current order and what has changed.
- Supplemental petition. We file a request to modify and serve the other party.
- Financial disclosure. For support or alimony, both sides exchange updated financial information.
- Mediation. Many modifications settle at mediation.
- Hearing. If needed, a judge decides.
Why clients choose JRG Law
- Bilingual representation in English and Spanish.
- Personal attention. You work directly with Jessica, a Florida Bar member since 2018.
- A compassionate approach shaped by her background in psychology.
- Two offices, by appointment in Coral Gables and West Kendall.
Frequently asked questions
Can we just agree to change the order between ourselves?
You can agree, but the change should be approved by the court. Otherwise the old order is still enforceable.
Can I stop paying while I ask for a modification?
No. Keep following the current order. A modification usually takes effect from the date it is ordered or the petition was filed, not before.
How long does a modification take?
An agreed modification can be quick. A contested one may take several months, depending on the issues and the court’s schedule.
I was divorced in another state. Can I modify my order in Florida?
Sometimes. It depends on where the parties and children live now. We can review your situation.
Talk to a Miami family law modification lawyer today
Call (305) 201-0529 or schedule your free consultation online. We serve families throughout Miami-Dade and Broward. Se habla español.
The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.