Attorney for Increasing Alimony

What is alimony increase and when is it possible?

Alimony is a monthly payment determined by a court or by agreement between the parties, intended to cover basic needs of a child or spouse following divorce or separation. Sometimes, over the years, circumstances change — income increases, needs grow, or family conditions change. In such cases, increasing alimony is a legal right that can be exercised through the Family Court.

Alimony increase is not automatic. It requires convincing evidence that the circumstances that existed when the alimony was set have changed materially and substantially. The court re-examines the paying ability of the obligor (the paying party) and the needs of the obligee (the receiving party), and decides whether an increase is warranted.

The law office of Rozil Amir specializes in proving eligibility for alimony increase, conducting negotiations with the other party, and representing you before the court. We understand the emotional and financial complexity of the process and accompany you at every stage.

Conditions for increasing alimony — what does the court examine?

A family court will not approve an alimony increase easily. The claim must be based on significant changes in economic or social circumstances. Below are the main conditions and factors the court examines:

1. Change in the obligor's income

If the income of the person paying alimony has increased substantially, this is a strong starting point for a request for increase. This means there is greater financial capacity to increase the payment. You must prove the new income through:

• Current salary statements
• Income reports from self-employment
• Updated tax reports (annual income statement)
• Bank statements showing regular deposits
• Intelligence declaration from the obligor (if agreed) or affidavit in the claim

2. Change in the needs of the obligee (the recipient)

Needs of a child or spouse may grow over time. Education, healthcare, social activities, and living in modern society require additional resources. If needs have increased substantially, this is a legal reason for an increase. Examples:

• Child transferred to private high school — higher education costs
• Medical or dental treatments that did not exist before
• Social activities, sports, or arts that the child requires
• Special needs of a child with disabilities or health issues
• Spouse who lost employment or suffers from health problems

3. Non-compliance or partial payment

If the obligor does not pay alimony on time or pays only partially, this is not a condition for a request for increase, but may affect the court's decision. The court may consider this behavior when evaluating the credibility of the non-paying party.

4. Change in custody arrangement or shared expenses

If the custody arrangement has changed (for example, the child moves to live with the other parent), this may affect the alimony amount. Similarly, if shared expenses (such as healthcare or education) have increased, this may justify an increase.

The Process of Increasing Alimony — Step by Step

The process of increasing alimony follows a clear legal pathway, but it is not always straightforward. Here is how it typically unfolds:

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Eligibility Assessment

At your first meeting with the attorney, we hear your story — how your income or needs have changed, when alimony was first determined, and what the current amount is. We ask precise questions to understand the full scope of your situation and assess the likelihood of success of your request.

At this stage, we explain to you the legal requirements, the possible costs, and how long the process may take. We also clarify what you will need to prove.

Step 2: Document and Evidence Collection

We ask you to provide documents that will support your request. These include:

• Current Income: Salary statements from the past year, income tax report, bank statements showing regular deposits
• Needs: Invoices from educational institutions, health funds, physicians, housing, transportation, etc.
• Original Alimony Document: The court decision or agreement signed between the parties
• Proof of Change: Any document that proves circumstances have changed since alimony was set

We help you collect these documents and organize them in a manner that will be persuasive before the court.

Step 3: Negotiation with the Other Party (if possible)

Before filing a formal request with the court, we attempt to contact the other party's attorney (if they have one) or directly with the other party (if they are not represented). We present your arguments in a professional manner and examine whether there is a possibility of agreement.

Agreement outside of court is often faster, less expensive, and less emotionally taxing. If the other party agrees to an increase (or a partial increase), we prepare a written agreement and submit it to the court for approval.

Step 4: Filing a Formal Request with the Court

If negotiation does not lead to an agreement, we file a formal request with the family court. The request includes:

• An accurate description of the changes in circumstances
• Legal analysis of the statutory requirements
• All supporting documents (proof of income, needs, etc.)
• A reminder of the current alimony amount and the amount requested

The request is filed in written form, and the court sets a date for the hearing.

Step 5: Preparation for Court Hearing

Before the hearing, we prepare you in detail. We explain what to expect, what questions the judge will ask, and how to answer clearly and directly. We also prepare a strong argument to be presented before the court.

Step 6: Court Hearing

At the hearing, we represent you. We present your arguments, present the evidence, cross-examine the other party (if necessary), and respond to their claims. The judge listens to both sides and often asks questions of their own.

Step 7: Court Decision

Following the hearing, the court issues a written decision. The decision may be:

• Full Approval: The court approves the alimony increase to the amount you requested (or close to it)
• Partial Approval: The court approves an increase, but to a lower amount than you requested
• Denial: The court finds that you have not proven a substantial change in circumstances and denies the request

If the court's decision is in your favor, the other party must begin paying the new alimony amount on the date set by the court (usually within a month or two of the decision).

Step 8: Follow-up After the Decision

Once the court's decision has taken effect, we assist you with matters such as:

• Notifying the other party of the decision (if they have not yet received it)
• Monitoring compliance — whether the other party is paying on time and in the correct amount
• Handling issues if the other party stops paying or pays late
• Filing an enforcement request if necessary (for example, enforcement of a mortgage)

Costs of Increasing Child Support — What You Can Expect to Pay?

The cost of increasing child support depends on several factors: the complexity of the case, the duration of court proceedings, and whether expert evidence is required. There is no fixed fee under law, but here is a typical range:

Attorney's Fees

A boutique law firm like ours typically offers different payment models:

• Hourly Rate: Typically ₪400–₪800 per hour, depending on experience and complexity
• Fixed Fee per Case: For a simple case (negotiation only, without court proceedings), a total cost of ₪2,000–₪5,000
• Fixed Fee with Court Proceedings: If there are court proceedings, ₪5,000–₪12,000 depending on complexity
• Flexible Payment Plan: We offer installment payments to ease the financial burden

We discuss costs transparently at the first meeting and keep you informed if costs may increase during the process.

Court Costs

The court charges a filing fee for a request to increase child support. These fees depend on the amount requested, but typically range from ₪200–₪500. We handle this payment on your behalf.

Possible Additional Costs

In complex cases, you may need to bring witnesses or even an expert (for example, a property appraiser or financial advisor). These costs vary widely, but we inform you in advance.

What If Your Request Is Denied?

If the court denies your request, you are still required to pay the attorney's fees and court costs. However, we discuss this in advance so you are aware of the financial risk.

Comparative Table — Child Support Increase Scenarios

This table reflects general trends in Israeli court decisions regarding child support increases. Each case is unique, and actual success rates depend on the specific details of your case.