It’s no secret that solo practitioners are more at risk of encountering drastic economic swings than those with the financial security of working at larger law firms.

Such inconsistent income, however, is the nature of small-firm practice and doesn’t automatically affect court-ordered payment plans, Litchfield Superior Court Judge John W. Pickard has ruled in dismissing Waterbury, Conn., attorney Thomas E. Porzio’s bid to lower his alimony payments to his ex-wife.