Modification of Alimony and Child Support

This lesson can serve either as an introduction to modification or as a review that reinforces and tests your understanding of this subject. Before beginning the lesson, you should be familiar with the general law of alimony and child support. The CALI lessons on Alimony and Child Support can help.

This lesson is divided into two parts: Part I deals with modification of alimony; Part II deals with modification of child support. Each part begins by identifying basic rules on modification and then explores specific fact patterns that often trigger requests for modification.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Identify basic rules on modification of alimony and child support.
2. Analyze specific fact patterns that often trigger requests for modification.
3. Explain why most states have adopted standards that authorize modification of child support upon a showing of a substantial or material change in circumstances.