Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
I am the Legal Custodial Parent of my 2 children and I have just been laid off from my job. Does this constitute a material change of circumstance to warrant a change in child support?
4 Answers from Attorneys
Yes.
This certainly could be a change in circumstances. There are still many factors to consider. What do you do for work? How difficult is it for you to get another job? Are you looking for work? How much do you get for unemployment? Before you do anything, I suggest you use the child support worksheet to see what the new calculations are based on unemployment. The worksheet is at: https://wfb.dor.state.ma.us/DORCommon/Worksheets/CSE/Guidelines.aspx. If your calculations show a minimal change or no change at all, then you should not waste your time going back to court to change child support.
Yes, although the circumstances of your loss of employment, your earning potential, your work history, etc., may all be relevant and may complicate this simple answer.