Criteria for Changing Child Support

You can change an existing child support order if a substantial and continuing change in your or the other parent's circumstances has occurred since the court signed the original order. For example, you or the other parent might be making a lot more, or a lot less, money now than you were in the past.

A substantial change is a change that will cause the amount of child support, calculated based on your or the other parent's new circumstances, to go up or down by at least 10%. Refer to the child support calculator to help you estimate whether your change is substantial.

A continuing change is a change in circumstances that is more than just temporary.

You can also change a child support order if the original order does not address medical or dental support for the child or children.

Forms and Paperwork Required

First, determine whether you and the other parent agree on the changes you want the court to make to the order.

If you and the other parent agree on the changes, you should ask the court for the change using a Stipulation (agreement). Follow the steps under the Stipulation heading below to fill out the Stipulation form, JDF 1404 Stipulation Regarding Child Support Modification.

If you and the other parent do not agree on the changes, you should ask the court to change the order by using a Motion. Follow the steps under the Motion heading below to fill out the Motion form, JDF 1403 Motion to Modify Child Support.

Stipulation

Note: Make sure you and the other parent agree about all of the changes to the existing order. If the two of you disagree about even one word in the request, you should file a Motion rather than a Stipulation.

Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1404 Stipulation Regarding Child Support Modification and JDF 1405 Order Re: Modification of Child Support. For detailed instructions on how to complete these forms, review the instructions (JDF 1403 i) and process map (JDF 1403M).

Paperwork Tips

You will use the case number from your original case where child support was ordered.

You and the other parent will have the same identities to the court as you did in the original case. For example, if you were the Petitioner in the original case, you will be the Petitioner for the Stipulation.

Both you and the other parent must sign and fill out the "verification" section on the the completed JDF 1404 Stipulation Regarding Child Support Modification.

Complete the top ("caption") portion of JDF 1405 Order Re: Modification of Child Support.

Motion

Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1403 Motion to Modify Child Support and JDF 1405 Order Re: Modification of Child Support. For detailed instructions on how to complete these forms, review the instructions (JDF 1403 i) and process map (JDF 1403M).

Paperwork Tips

Use the case number from your original case where child support was ordered.

You and the other parent will have the same identities to the court as you did in the original case. For example, if you were the Petitioner in the original case, you will be the Petitioner for the Motion.

You must sign and date the completed JDF 1403. The other parent does not need to sign this form.

Complete the top ("caption") portion of JDF 1405 Order Re: Modification of Child Support to create a new Order for the court to sign.

Mail or hand-deliver a copy of your completed JDF 1403 Motion to Modify Child Support to the other parent. You do not need to mail or hand-deliver a copy of JDF 1405 Order Re: Modification of Child Support.

Fill out the Certificate of Service part of the form before filing the form with the court.

How to Submit Paperwork to the Court

1. File with the same court that gave you the original child support order. Use the courts locator to find the correct court location. You must file the original paper versions of your completed forms by giving them to the court in person or by mailing them to the court.
2. Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee, or visit our File Without Payment section for complete information.

What Happens Next?

Wait for the court's response to your Motion or Stipulation. You may be required to attend mediation and/or a hearing may be held.