- Although the financial situation of both parties may be damaged due to a divorce, statistics show that the woman is the more likely partner in the marriage to suffer financially. A divorced woman, dependent on the income from her job, may find herself in poor health and may be required to take a medical leave of absence to recuperate. Without an income, she may not be able to pay for housing, food and utilities. The financial situation may worsen as medical bills accumulate if medical insurance is inadequate. In this scenario, a woman may be able to appeal to the court for a review of the financial elements of the divorce decree. This can work both ways, if the former husband is the more distressed financially.
- Although the courts are supposed to be fair and avoid creating financial hardships for the parties and children of a divorce, unforeseen circumstances can dramatically affect the non-custodial parent's ability to pay child support. Such circumstances can include a reduction in income, loss of employment, and injury or disability. In this situation, a non-custodial parent may seek a modification of the child support order, seeking a lower payment.
The custodial parent can sometimes find that it is impossible to support the children on the amount of money the court has ordered. The custodial parent can seek a modification of the child support order, raising the payment. Some dead-beat spouses simply ignore court orders and are either delinquent or refuse to pay at all. Faced with being unable to provide food, clothing or shelter for the children, a custodial parent has a bonafide reason to request financial aid or the intervention of the court. - Either or both parties to a divorce, or the children of the divorce, may be attending college or university. Student loans and educational grants are based on economic need. If your financial circumstances are changed by a decree of divorce after you filed your Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the financial aid office at your school may be able to increase the award. The educational expenses of minor children may be a legitimate reason to request that the court re-evaluate child support payments or educational expense provisions of a divorce decree.
- For a working person, a disabling injury or illness may drastically change their ability to produce an income and meet court-ordered financial obligations. The disability may be temporary or long term. The disabled party has a legitimate reason to appeal to the court for a reduction of the obligation. The court will evaluate the disability claim and may make a temporary or permanent adjustment to the divorce decree.