A court order finalizing the dissolution of a marriage establishes the legal framework for the post-marital lives of the former spouses. This document, encompassing elements such as property division, child custody, and spousal support, represents a binding agreement. However, circumstances change, and the need to modify certain aspects of this order may arise. For example, a significant change in income could prompt a review of alimony obligations, or a relocation could necessitate adjustments to child custody arrangements.
The ability to adjust such legally binding documents provides flexibility and allows the legal system to adapt to evolving realities. Its existence balances the need for finality with the practical understanding that life circumstances are not static. Historically, the rigidity of divorce settlements often created hardship and unfairness, particularly for women and children. The introduction of mechanisms for alteration aimed to mitigate these inequities and create a more equitable outcome for all involved.