Modifications.
When Life Changes, Court Orders Can Too .
Court orders are meant to provide structure and stability—but life doesn’t always follow a script. If a major change has impacted your ability to follow an existing court order, or if your current arrangement no longer fits your reality, you may be eligible to request a modification.
At Poppy Legal Group, we help clients across Massachusetts pursue and respond to modifications of existing family court orders. Whether your situation involves parenting time, child support, alimony, or other divorce-related terms, our team is here to guide you through the process.
What Is a Modification?
A modification is a legal request to change the terms of a previously issued court order. Modifications can apply to various aspects of a family law case—but only when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances. This change must be significant, lasting, and relevant to the issue at hand.
Types of Orders That Can Be Modified
Custody & Parenting Time
Adjusting the parenting schedule
Changing legal or physical custody
Addressing parental relocation or co-parenting challenges
👉 Learn more about custody here
Child Support
Income changes for either parent
Changes in child care or health insurance costs
A child becoming legally emancipated
👉 Learn more about child support here
Alimony (Spousal Support)
Job loss, retirement, or disability
Remarriage or cohabitation by the receiving spouse
Changes in financial need or ability to pay
Note: Not all alimony orders can be modified, depending on how they were originally agreed upon or ordered.
📄 Other Divorce Terms
Some terms in your divorce agreement may be eligible for modification (e.g., parenting-related provisions), while others—like property division—are typically final. We can review your specific agreement and advise on what may be possible.
What Qualifies as a “Material and Substantial Change”?
Examples include:
Job loss, promotion, or significant change in income
A parent’s relocation or change in availability
A child’s health, schooling, or developmental needs shifting
Conflict or non-compliance with the current order
Long-term changes that make the existing order unworkable
Not every change qualifies—but we’ll help you determine whether your situation meets the legal standard.
How the Modification Process Works
Filing a Complaint for Modification: This is a formal legal request to change an existing order.
Notifying the Other Party: The other person must be served with the complaint.
Hearing or Agreement: The court may schedule a hearing, or the parties may reach an agreement and submit it for approval.
Temporary Orders (if needed): In some cases, you can request temporary relief while the case is pending.
Modifications can be cooperative or contested—we’re prepared to assist with either.
Modifications vs. Contempt
If the issue is that the other party is not following an existing order, a modification may not be the right path. In that case, you may need to file a Complaint for Contempt instead.
👉 Learn more about contempt actions here
How Poppy Legal Group Can Help
Whether you're seeking a change or responding to one, we’re here to protect your interests and help you move forward with clarity. We handle both simple and complex modifications with a steady, strategic approach, always tailored to your unique circumstances.
Let’s talk about what’s changed—and what’s possible.
