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Can a previous order regarding arrears be modified?

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What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Hampshire

I assume so, but I would like to know for sure.

A couple years ago I was ordered to pay alimony arrears of $X per month until paid in full. This was separate from child support and alimony defined in the USO and the arrears payment was not handled through the DCSS

When I fell behind on payments earlier this year due to another drop in my income, I filed for a modification of child support. In response my ex filed a motion to address the lapse in payment on the alimony arrears.

During the recent hearing the judge discussed taking the balance of the arrears (covered under the previous order) and shifting it over to DCSS somehow. I forget the terminology that he used, but the idea was that DCSS would now oversee payment of the arrears too.

First, is that permissible? Can the Court shift oversight of prior alimony arrears to DCSS oversight? Can the Court change a payment arrangement (previously ordered by the Court)? If so, was it the lapse in payments that enabled the court to do that, or is this something the Court can do at its discretion at any time?

Is there anything I can do about it? Obviously, it's my "fault" that I'm in this boat. Had I been able to make the arrears payments in recent months this wouldn't have become an issue.

Does anything prevent DCSS from requesting the entire arrears payment in full once it is granted oversight by the Court?

Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,

CT
 
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