1. Figure out if there has been a significant change

Look to see if you or your partner’s situation has changed.

If you have to go to court, the court will only make an order changing or ending spousal support if there has been a material change in circumstances.

This means you have to show that there has been a significant change in your or your partner’s situation. For example:

• You or your partner’s income has gone up or down.
• The partner paying support loses their job and can no longer pay the spousal support agreed on.
• The partner receiving spousal support makes more money and the partner paying support wants to reduce or end spousal support.
• The partner receiving spousal support should now be self-supporting.
• The partner receiving support is re-married and support was only being paid because they were in need.
• The partner paying support was also paying child support that has now ended. The partner receiving spousal support wants to increase the amount of spousal support.

If you cannot prove a significant change in your or your partner’s situation, the court will not make the change.