order-modification

name	order-modification
title	Request for Order Modification
description	Drafts post-judgment motions to modify existing family law court orders based on material changes in circumstances. Structures changed-circumstances arguments with jurisdictional compliance, factual chronologies, and precise relief specifications. Use when drafting modification motions, changed-circumstances motions, post-judgment family law motions, or petitions to modify custody, support, or visitation orders.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/order-modification
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	family
language	en

Request for Order Modification

Drafts a post-judgment motion to modify an existing family law court order based on material changes in circumstances.

Prerequisites

Collect before drafting:

1. Original order — full text, entry date, issuing judge, provisions at issue
2. Changed-circumstances evidence — financial, medical, employment, school, or incident records
3. Baseline declarations — prior financial disclosures and conditions at time of original order
4. Jurisdiction — state/county, applicable modification statute, local court rules
5. Modification history — any prior modification attempts and outcomes

Quick Start

1. Identify modification type and governing legal standard
2. Verify statutory authority, burden of proof, and procedural prerequisites
3. Draft motion with structured changed-circumstances argument
4. Prepare supporting declaration and exhibits
5. Run review checklist before finalizing

Workflow

Step 1: Jurisdiction & Standard Research

Identify the governing standard by modification type:

Type	Standard	Authority
Child support	Material change; income threshold	State family code; support guidelines
Spousal support	Changed circumstances; cohabitation; retirement	State family code; appellate law
Custody/visitation	Best interests + changed circumstances	State family code; custody factors
Property division	Fraud, mistake, newly discovered assets (rare)	State family code; FRCP 60(b) analogs

Verify:

• Statutory authority for this modification type
• Burden of proof (moving party's burden)
• Threshold showing required before evidentiary hearing
• Meet-and-confer or ADR prerequisite
• Filing deadlines or waiting periods

Step 2: Caption & Formatting