{"id":373944,"date":"2018-12-26T17:36:03","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T22:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-modification0.html"},"modified":"2025-02-21T12:54:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T17:54:23","slug":"massachusetts-child-support-modification0","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-modification0.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Child Support Modification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Massachusetts Child Support Modification<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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
\n

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

Providing financial support for minor children is both parents’ responsibility. Typically, the non-custodial parent<\/a> (NCP) pays the child support. The courts determine the amount of child support using the Massachusetts child support guidelines.<\/p>\r\n

The amount of child support payments depends on several factors, including the parent’s income, the number of children, and the number of overnights<\/a> each parent has with their children. Given that any of these things can change over time, it’s no surprise that family law judges entertain parents’ requests to reduce or increase child support.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll briefly discuss how the courts calculate child support and how to request a child support modification<\/a> under Massachusetts law.<\/p>\r\n

How Do the Massachusetts Courts Determine Child Support?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you and your child’s other parent don’t have a child support agreement, a judge will decide. When determining child support<\/a>, the court defers to the Massachusetts child support guidelines and the child support guidelines worksheet. The court will also consider other factors affecting the paying parent’s child support obligation.<\/p>\r\n

Some of these factors include:<\/p>\r\n