Lost Your Job? Make Family Court Your Second Stop (after the Unemployment Office!)

The job news is sobering for our home state....joblessness across Nevada hit 12, that's right, 12 percent in June, up from 6.4% a year earlier. Unemployment jumped even faster right here in the world's most exciting city, surging to 12.3% in June, up from 6.3% in June 2008.

If you are parent with child support obligations, losing your job can have a devastating ripple effect, starting with you, and rippling on down to those kids you love and do your best to provide for. So what do you do if you find yourself unemployed, facing what could be a prolonged and anxiety-filled job hunt, and worried about making your support payments?

Well, what you should NOT do is wait until you've missed a few payments, you're accruing arrearage, and your ex is threatening to call the D.A., using terms like "lien" and "garnishment" and "debtor's prison" (we don't have debtor's prisons anymore, but people say all sorts of stuff when the check ain't in the mail!).

First, if eligible, get your butt to the unemplyment office, send out resumes, send out a gazillion applictions, network like crazy, and beginning spinning those wheels that will hopefully result in a brand new job! Then, consider seeking a review and modification of your child support order. An order for support can be reviewed at least every 3 years (that means it can be reviewed MORE often).

Actually, NRS 125B.145 (4) states that the court can review orders for support ANYTIME, on the basis of changed circumstances. This law defines "change in circumstances" as a change of 20% or more in the gross monthly income of a person who is subject to a child support order.

So, for the sake of your children, your peace of mind, and your future earnings, which you hope will be plentiful, don't wait. Cover yourself in case your next job is a little further around the corner than you hope.