Modifications

If you already have an existing order, whether it be a divorce decree, a final order in a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (“SAPCR”), or a custody, visitation, or child support order rendered through the Office of the Attorney General legal process, Izzo & Associates can help you to modify these orders. The State of Texas has specific rules and procedures for modifying your parenting time, your rights regarding children, changing the custody of children, and both child and medical support. Whether an existing order was ruled on by a county or district court or by the Title IV-D court (Office of the Attorney General court), Izzo & Associates is specially equipped to handle these matters.

Modifications to a prior order may be necessary to increase or lower child support. In addition, other interested parties, which can include grandparents and sometimes aunts and uncles or other individuals, are able, in certain circumstances, to file a suit for modification to protect children or help another family member out. It is also possible for additional litigants to join a suit, such as when grandparents want to aid their adult son or daughter. Be aware, however, that once one party opens the door to a modification of a prior order, the opposing side can file their pleadings requesting relief. By filing a modification action, a party is basically admitting that substantial changes of circumstances have occurred, justifying a modification suit.

Note: This is actually required for a modification to be granted by the court. The other party can then argue that this change in circumstances justifies other adjustments that they want, as well.

How we can help

Izzo & Associates has tried cases and interacted with Title IV-D courts and county and district courts in more than a dozen different counties within Texas for decades. We are well versed in this area, having successfully handled hundreds of modifications for our clients. The key for our attorneys is to consult with new clients as to the specific facts of their cases. It is very important that each new client has manageable expectations regarding what can and cannot potentially be accomplished in court. We always give our clients our fair estimate of success ahead of time as to each of their issues. We know that different or changing case facts can affect each case uniquely.

Enforcement

All our clients have the right, and some would say the duty is to see that Texas court orders are upheld. If you are currently impacted adversely by a previous court order, give us a call for a free assessment of your chances and the potential costs involved in trying to set things straight through an Enforcement action. We are always disturbed and saddened when someone calls and explains what is happening to them or their children at the hands of a past opponent who refuses to follow court orders. These difficulties can include a party not paying child support, a party denying the other visitation with the children, and a party failing to provide insurance coverage as ordered. Interestingly, our attorneys also often hear about promises concerning property decisions being ignored or avoided also. Many helpless new clients tell us how they have had themselves taken advantage of by a former spouse who has failed to reimburse them for their portion of a home sale or who will not follow through with transferring a phone or goods that were divided by the court.

Final Thoughts

The most important job for our firm, beyond successfully litigating enforcement actions, is to analyze the facts of each case and to provide a cost-benefit analysis of pursuing an Enforcement action to our clients. We like to win and we like to see happy faces at the end of a case, but realistically this cannot always happen. Therefore, we ALWAYS make it our mission to attempt to analyze the facts of the case and give our new client our best estimate of the outcome of such an action. It is important for our clients to know whether the potential result of an Enforcement actions merits the cost involved, based on the probability of success. Indeed, sometimes an Enforcement is not even required. Sometimes a prior order needs to be clarified to correct missing, confusing, or unenforceable language to effectuate the order’s intended purpose.

Let us hear from you about problems you are having with your prior court order being upheld. Give us a FREE call and we will consult with you to see if we can help you rectify your situation.