March 18th, 2025
Finding Relief: Child Support and Alimony Modification Options for Affected Federal Employees
Posted in: Family Law Tagged: Sara M. Donohue
Author: Sara M. Donohue
The large-scale reduction in the federal workforce has had a significant impact on the DMV region, creating a perfect storm for divorced individuals with existing alimony obligations and parents with child support responsibilities.
For individuals with existing child support or alimony orders in place, now is the time to consider modifications if you have been impacted by the federal layoffs or new Return-to-Office (RTO) requirements.
Do You Have to Go to Court?
Even if you have a great relationship with your former spouse or co-parent, individuals with child support or alimony agreements/orders must seek court approval for any significant changes. This applies to both types of financial support. Without a court modification, you would have to adhere to your existing agreements or court orders, even if your financial situation has dramatically changed due to loss of employment. Courts typically require formal proceedings to modify alimony just as they do for child support, as both are legally binding financial obligations. These modifications may also be negotiated and amendments made to existing agreements as to child support and alimony avoiding litigation and extensive legal costs.
You should request changes as soon as possible, as the date of the filing for modifications may determine the date by which a court may make any modification retroactive.
What Do You Need to Discuss with Your Lawyer
You should be thinking of the following as you work with an attorney to navigate these changes.
- What modifications can be made to existing child support and alimony orders?
- What is the material change in circumstances to justify modifications?
- How will changes in support obligations impact your financial stability?
- How will changes impact your children?
The financial strain is mounting from multiple directions. Forbes reported in December that RTO mandates are hitting parents hard— costing full-time office workers an average of $1,020 per month in commuting and related childcare expenses. When combined with potential income loss from federal workforce reductions, the financial picture becomes even more glum.
If you have any questions about child support and/or alimony modifications or how best to prepare for its potential implications from RTO mandates and federal workforce reduction, please contact Sara Donohue or our other attorneys in our family law department.
