What were your respective incomes when alimony was set at $1200/mo? What is your income now?

"I have tried to get my alimony reduced during times of layoff but they refuse to let me do that by phone and to travel there just isn't affordable."

Don't take refusal to work over the phone as a sign that you don't have a case. Courts just don't do stuff like this over the phone. With a potential for $1200/mo relief, I would think a bit of money and time spent on travel and a lawyer would be a very good investment.