{"id":371753,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-child-support-modification.html"},"modified":"2024-11-22T09:24:10","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T14:24:10","slug":"california-child-support-modification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-child-support-modification.html","title":{"rendered":"California Child Support Modification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Child Support Modification<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/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

Under California law, both parents have a legal obligation to support their minor child until they reach 18 (California Family Code \u00a7 3900 et seq<\/a>.). Only another court order can change a child support order once a judge issues one.<\/p>\r\n

California courts allow modification of child support<\/a> whenever a judge feels it is necessary for the best interests of the child. California Child Support Services<\/a> will review a case at no charge for a recipient or paying parent who believes a case needs to be modified.<\/p>\r\n

Making a Modification Request<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In California, the amount of child support<\/a> depends on the child’s needs. In a divorce or legal separation, the child custody arrangements also affect the child support amount. The noncustodial parent may have a larger support payment.<\/p>\r\n

The recipient parent or the child’s legal guardian can request child support<\/a>. If the child does not live with either parent, both parents have child support obligations. In that case, the legal guardian can request a support modification on behalf of the child.<\/p>\r\n

Courts understand that situations arise when a parent can’t meet their child support obligations. The modification process<\/a> is fair to both parents and allows for changes in circumstances beyond everyone’s control.<\/p>\r\n

What Qualifies as Changed Circumstances?<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

A support modification<\/a> (\u00a7 3651) requires parents to show a "substantial change in circumstances." A "substantial change" doesn’t mean one parent has a new significant other or the child plays a new afterschool sport. Changed circumstances impact the parent’s income. To change the child support amount, the payor parent must show:<\/p>\r\n