FAQ: How do I change the Child Support Order?

By Michelle Finch

Each state has a process for modifying a child support order. For a child support to be changed, you need to file the appropriate motion or request for modification with the appropriate Court or child support agency and obtain a revised child support order.

Reasons to modify child support include an increase or decrease in income of one or both parents, a change in the parenting schedule, the disability of a parent, or a change in the needs of a child.

You can negotiate a modification of child support with the other parent, but the change must be documented in a new child support order signed by the Court to be effective.

Your attorney can calculate child support for you to assess whether it makes sense to modify the support. For example, if one parties’ income changes by several hundred dollars a month, the change in child support may not warrant the cost involved to obtain a new child support order.