{"id":351694,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-support\/child-support-modification.html"},"modified":"2023-06-01T11:08:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T16:08:04","slug":"child-support-modification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-modification.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support Modification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Support Modification<\/h1>\n
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\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Courts can modify an existing child suport order if the child’s needs or a parent’s income has changed. The court will look for a substantial change in circumstances before modifying the order.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

When you have an existing child support order,<\/a> you can request that the court increase or decrease the child support payments. The family court judge will consider whether to grant the request based on whether there is a \u201csubstantial change" in circumstances. <\/p>\r\n

What if I Can’t Make My Child Support Payments?<\/h2>\r\n

Keep making your child support payments as best you can. To the maximum extent possible, keep making the child support payments required under the current child support order. The existing child support order remains in effect unless and until the court issues a new child support order. Pay as much as you can and pay it in the manner specified by the child support order. As a paying parent, you need to put forth your best effort to pay. If you don’t, it hurts your argument that new circumstances (rather than lack of effort) require a new amount. It will cause unpaid child support to pile up.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Ways To Modify Child Support Orders<\/h2>\r\n

Like all child support issues, your options depend on the specific state law. You must have a child support order before you can get a modification. Typically, you have a few options for the modification process. You can request a modification with the help of your local or state family court facilitator or a private attorney. You likely will pay a filing fee. Or your local child support agency can review your case. You should have a court order before the agency can assist you in most cases. Sometimes the child support services agency in your area can give you a referral for an attorney. It depends. Check it out to be sure.<\/p>\r\n

Reasons for Child Support Modification<\/h2>\r\n

You can’t modify the support obligation unless the court finds that there was a \u201csubstantial change" in your circumstances. Here are reasons to modify your child support order:<\/p>\r\n