Can substantial debts reduce child support payments?
Substantial debts may be considered when determining the child support obligations. The debts that are being paid must be from goods or services furnished to the benefit of the children. The court has discretion to make any final adjustments after the overall financial condition is evaluated. Return to top of page How do I modify child support when needs change over time? If less than three years have passed since the previous child support order, the court must agree that a material change in circumstances occurred before modifying child support. A material change in circumstances includes changes in income that result in a ten percent change in child support. Increases in the custodial parent’s income do not result in the increase of child support payments by the non-custodial parent. One can request a demand for financial information from the other in order to discover whether a change of circumstances indeed occurred. Other grounds for modification include; emancipation of a child,
