What to Do When You Can’t Pay Alimony Due to Job Loss
Hi, I’m Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I focus on fathers’ rights. I’ve been practicing family law for about 25 years now, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this situation.
Men who owe alimony or child support lose their jobs—and then do nothing about it. They sit on their hands, hoping things will sort themselves out. Meanwhile, the amount they owe continues to accrue—and that debt doesn’t just go away.
Immediate Action Needed
What you need to do is act immediately. Contact your lawyer right away and have them file for a modification or an abeyance (which means putting the payments on hold) until you get another job.
You can ask the court for a temporary pause, or if it looks like you won’t be able to return to the same type of work—or earn the same income—you may want to ask for a modification of the amount owed.
Don’t Delay in Seeking Help
Now, it’s important to understand: the court may not reduce your obligation completely until you’re re-employed or can prove that you won’t be able to return to your prior income level. But filing right away protects you. Waiting is the worst mistake you can make.
Contact Us for a Consultation
I hope this helps. Take a look at our website, and if you have questions about this or any other family law issue, give Tulsa alimony attorney Clint Hastings a call at 918-962-0900. We’d be glad to offer a consultation. Thanks.