Help with Adjusting Child Support

Questioner

Hello, I have a question about child support. In November I lost my job. After applying for jobs I decided to start my own company. However, this has no income yet and the expectation is that this will be the case as of September, but then significantly lower than before. My alimony amount is 700 per month for 2 children. I have no income and no benefits. In February my ex agreed to a temporary reduction to 400 euros. She gets this supplemented from her benefits anyway. She now wants to receive the full 700 euros retroactively. I have no income and am borrowing to make ends meet. The expected salary is significantly lower than the amount on which the alimony is set. I do have assets in an apartment that is rented out. Because I am going under financially I have to do something. My question: what are the steps and does it make sense? I have seen several stories that not having an income is not a reason to pay less child support. I am very careful because I cannot afford / would have to borrow legal fees at this time. Thank you in advance, MD

Lawyer

The only correct advice is that you engage a lawyer as soon as possible and file a request with the court to adjust your maintenance obligation to your current ability to pay. It is then up to the judge to assess whether and if so to what extent you can be blamed for loss of ability to pay and what this means for your request for reduction. Doing nothing will only make your financial problems worse.