Practice Areas

Modifications & Enforcement

Experienced representation in modification and enforcement proceedings when circumstances change or court orders are not being followed.

Family law orders are not always permanent. Florida law provides a process for modifying certain orders, including child support, alimony, timesharing, and parental responsibility, when circumstances have changed in a way that warrants a review of the existing order. Modification proceedings are governed by Florida Statute Section 61.14 for support and alimony matters and Florida Statute Section 61.13 for timesharing and parental responsibility.

When a party fails to comply with a court-ordered obligation, enforcement proceedings are available to compel compliance. Florida courts have broad authority to enforce family law orders and address noncompliance, including through contempt proceedings, income withholding, and other remedies available under Florida law. Modification and enforcement proceedings are often related, and addressing both in the same proceeding is common when one party is out of compliance with an existing order.

What to Expect

How the Process Works

  • Modification: Assessment of whether your circumstances meet the legal threshold for modification under the applicable statute
  • Modification: Guidance on documenting the change in circumstances required by Florida law
  • Modification: Negotiation with the other party to reach a modified agreement without unnecessary litigation
  • Modification: Courtroom representation if the modification is contested and requires a hearing
  • Enforcement: A thorough review of the existing court order and the specific non-compliance at issue
  • Enforcement: Guidance on the most effective enforcement mechanism for your situation
  • Enforcement: Filing of the appropriate motion and representation at enforcement hearings
  • Enforcement: Pursuit of attorney's fees and costs where warranted under Florida law

How Rosanna Can Help

Personal, Experienced Representation

Modification and enforcement proceedings are often more complex than they appear. The threshold for modification is fact-specific, and the documentation required to support or oppose a petition matters significantly. On the enforcement side, the choice of remedy depends on the nature of the noncompliance and the circumstances of the parties. Rosanna has handled both modification and enforcement proceedings throughout her career on behalf of both the party seeking relief and the party responding to it. She will give you a direct assessment of your position and the most effective path forward.

Schedule a Consultation

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The requirements for modification depend on the type of order at issue. Modification of child support, alimony, and timesharing are each governed by different statutory standards, but all generally require a showing that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the existing order. The specific threshold and what constitutes a sufficient change depends on the type of order and the facts of your case. Rosanna can evaluate your circumstances and advise you on whether the threshold for modification is met.

It depends on the type of order you are seeking to modify and the specific facts of your situation. The threshold for modification varies depending on whether the order involves child support, alimony, timesharing, or parental responsibility, and what has changed since the original order was entered. A change that is sufficient to support a modification of one type of order may not be sufficient for another. The only reliable way to evaluate whether your circumstances meet the applicable threshold is to have an attorney review the existing order and the facts of your situation. Rosanna can give you a direct assessment of whether a modification proceeding is worth pursuing.

Florida courts have broad authority to address noncompliance with family law orders. Available remedies include contempt proceedings, which can result in fines or incarceration, income withholding for support obligations, suspension of licenses, and other enforcement mechanisms available under Florida law. The court may also award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party in an enforcement proceeding. The appropriate remedy depends on the nature of the noncompliance and the circumstances of the parties. If a court order is being violated, consulting with an attorney promptly is important, as delay can affect the relief available to you.

No. Timesharing and child support are independent obligations under Florida law, and one may not be withheld as leverage for the other. A parent who withholds timesharing because the other parent has failed to pay child support may themselves be found in contempt of court. The proper remedy for nonpayment of child support is an enforcement proceeding, not self-help. Similarly, a parent who is being denied timesharing may not withhold child support in response. If either obligation is not being met, the appropriate step is to seek court intervention rather than to take matters into your own hands.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Every family law matter is unique. Schedule a confidential consultation and let Rosanna Ferrari guide you with clarity, compassion, and command.

Confidential · No obligation · Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm