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What if the paying spouse's life changes?

Unless the parties agree otherwise, most support orders are "modifiable" if the circumstances of one or both parties change.

What types of changes justify the support order?

Certain types of changes justify modifying the support order. Loss of a job is certainly a changed circumstance. Others might be unusually high medical expenses, a significant increase in the earnings of the spouse who is paying support, or the remarriage of the paying spouse.

Effect of bankruptcy

Support obligations are not dischargeable in bankruptcy, so the paying spouse would continue to owe the support that the judge ordered. However, the judge might consider the bankruptcy a "changed circumstance" that justifies lowering the support obligation.