Increasing alimony is a legal claim filed with the Family Court, typically by the alimony recipient (spouse or child), when a significant change in the obligor's financial circumstances occurs. For many years, the law offices of David Wasserman in Modiin have assisted Israeli families with such claims, providing professional legal advice and personal guidance at every stage of the proceedings.

The answer to the question "when does the court approve an increase in alimony" is not straightforward, as it depends on a series of legal, economic, and social factors. On this page, we will examine the legal conditions, the strongest arguments, and the procedural steps that will help you understand your rights and obligations.

What are the conditions for increasing alimony?

Under Israeli family law, a court can increase alimony only if it is proven that a significant change in circumstances has occurred that was not foreseeable when the original amount was determined. This change may include:

• Increase in the obligor's income: Promotion at work, salary increase, opening a business, or a new source of income.
• Decrease in the obligor's expenses: Completion of a significant loan payment, change in housing status, or reduction of other debts.
• Change in the alimony recipient's needs: Increase in education expenses, healthcare, or change in the child's or spouse's welfare status.
• Change in family circumstances: Opening a new household, birth of additional children, or changes in health status.

It is important to emphasize that a minor or temporary change in income will not be sufficient to convince the court. The party filing the claim must prove that the change is substantial, permanent, and real.

What evidence will be required in an alimony increase claim?

In legal proceedings, mere allegations are insufficient — concrete and substantive evidence is required. The Family Court requires documents, certificates, and evidence supporting your claims. These documents may include payslips, income tax returns from previous years, bank statements, business accounts, and more. The law offices of David Wasserman will assist you in preparing your case file professionally and thoroughly.

To succeed in an alimony increase claim, strong legal arguments based on case law and legislation are required. A family law attorney with experience in family law will know how to translate facts into persuasive arguments before the court.

Key arguments in the claim:

• Change in income: Presenting pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements proving an increase in the obligor's income. The court seeks clear and tangible evidence of this change.
• Needs of the alimony recipient: Proof that the child's or spouse's needs have increased significantly — higher education costs, medical treatment, social and developmental activities.
• Change in the obligor's expenses: If the obligor's expenses have decreased significantly (completion of a mortgage loan, change in housing), this may indicate greater ability to pay.
• Time elapsed: The more time that has passed since the original alimony was determined, the greater the likelihood that changes in circumstances will be considered significant and tangible.
• Status of the child or spouse: The court places special emphasis on the best interests of the child and the alimony recipient's ability to provide them with an adequate standard of living.

What will not help in the claim?

It is important to understand what will not be a persuasive argument in the eyes of the court. Minor, temporary, or voluntary changes (such as voluntary dismissal without good reason) will not constitute a basis for increasing alimony. Likewise, if the obligor chose to spend money on unnecessary items or risky investments, the court will not consider this a reduction in their income.

Law Offices of David Wasserman will help you distinguish between strong and weak arguments and will build a legal strategy focused on the strongest points of your case.

To better understand the court's decision, let us examine some typical scenarios:

As can be seen from the table, an increase in maintenance will be approved when there is a substantial, permanent, and real change in circumstances. The court examines each case individually, taking into account all relevant factors.