What is an Abatement, and Can You Request One for Child Support Payments in Face of COVID-19 Pandemic?
May 19, 2020
While nearly everything in our world has changed dramatically in the past several weeks, one thing that hasn’t – and won’t unless you take action – is the amount of, and frequency with which, child support payments are due.
We know the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, and some are more affected than others in terms of job loss and financial responsibilities. For families experiencing a significant change to their situation, there are ways to ease some of the financial burden while still fulfilling child support responsibilities, including by requesting an abatement to their child support payments.
What is an Abatement?
If you have already been furloughed, lost your job, or otherwise experienced a significant change to your employment or financial situation, now is the time to consider whether you should request a child support abatement or a permanent modification to your payments.
An abatement differs from a modification in that, rather than changing the amount of money you are responsible for, it simply delays child support payments. The amount stays the same.
If your income has changed significantly, it may be helpful to estimate revised child support payments based on your updated financial circumstances before deciding whether to pursue a modification instead of an abatement.
Can an Abatement Be Requested in Light of COVID-19?
Yes. If you are concerned about your ability to continue meeting your child support obligations, please get in touch with our team at Vasquez de Lara Law Group. We’ll work with you to understand your situation and discuss your options for filing an abatement request.
We know this is a challenging time for so many families, and taking action sooner rather than later may help significantly ease your immediate financial burden by providing temporary relief for child support payments during a hardship. Get in touch with us right away to schedule a virtual consultation.
About the Author
Vanessa Vasquez de Lara is a Miami divorce lawyer, author, and legal commentator with more than 20 years of experience helping families navigate divorce, child custody disputes, and complex family law matters throughout Florida. She is the founder and managing partner of Vasquez de Lara Law Group, one of the largest family-law-only firms serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with a team of attorneys dedicated exclusively to divorce and family law.
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, Vanessa has been recognized for her professional excellence by being named to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2016. She is also the author of the bestselling book “The Florida Man’s Guide to Getting Divorced” which provides practical insight into the legal, financial, and personal realities of divorce in Florida.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Vanessa is frequently invited to provide legal commentary on family law issues in national media, including appearances on NBC and Univision’s Despierta América.
Beyond her legal work, Vanessa is the founder of the Ricky Supreme Scholars Foundation, created in honor of her brother who lost his life to gun violence. Through the foundation, she provides scholarships to high school students to help them pursue higher education and build brighter futures.
Connect with Vanessa:
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