{"id":371507,"date":"2019-01-09T12:20:58","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T17:20:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-child-support-modification.html"},"modified":"2025-08-12T19:10:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T00:10:12","slug":"arizona-child-support-modification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-child-support-modification.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Child Support Modification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Child Support Modification<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, 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

One thing to expect in life is the unexpected. Significant changes can affect many aspects of your day-to-day existence, including your ability to provide for your children. Your responsibility to financially support your minor children doesn’t vanish, though. The amount of child support<\/a> you’re either paying or receiving may seem like too much or too little. Is there anything you can do about it?<\/p>\r\n

The state of Arizona understands that situations change and that child support amounts aren’t set in stone. The Arizona child support guidelines<\/a> determine if modifications to the existing child support order are justified. This article will examine the guidelines for modification, describe the required conditions, and walk you through the available processes.<\/p>\r\n

Child support payments must meet the best interests of the child<\/a>, and the parents’ financial burden must also be considered.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona Child Support Modification: Background<\/h2>\r\n

While there’s a good chance you might already know a little about child support orders<\/a>, a little review can’t hurt. Child support is required when the child’s birth parents aren’t raising them together in a single household. It’s to ensure the parents provide the child’s necessities.<\/p>\r\n

Title IV-D of the Social Security Act of 1975<\/a> required each state to create a child support program. Arizona’s child support guidelines<\/a> use an income shares model to determine child support obligations. The monthly incomes of both parents combine to replicate the amount of income present if they were in a two-parent household.<\/p>\r\n

Figuring out the finances in child support orders is often confusing. Parenting time, spousal maintenance, and other child support obligations may affect child support payments. FindLaw’s Arizona Child Support Calculations<\/a> article breaks down the process for easier understanding.<\/p>\r\n

The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)<\/a> of the Arizona Department of Economic Security handles just about all aspects of child support in Arizona. This includes collecting payments, distributing child support, enforcing orders in arrears, and offering services for custodial and noncustodial parents. They also share child support modifications with the Arizona courts.<\/p>\r\n

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

Child support orders aren’t available for modification just because one parent thinks the payment is too much or too little. Neither DCSS nor the Arizona Superior Court will approve a modification without proper justification<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Either parent can make a child support modification request through DCSS<\/a> or file a petition<\/a> with an Arizona Superior Court. Both expect proof of a substantial and continuing change of circumstances that has somehow affected the child support payment. Events that might qualify include:<\/p>\r\n