What happens if someone’s financial situation changes (mom or dad)?
The court may modify the amount of child support at any time if a change of circumstances occurs. This change must be “material” and must have not been contemplated when the last support order was issued. The court will determine if a change of circumstances has occurred and, if it has, the appropriate new amount of support. In order to request such a modification, an individual can file a Motion to Modify Child Support with the court or with the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The court, or CSEA, will recalculate the amount of support and if the recalculated amount is more than ten percent greater or ten percent less than the amount of child support that is required to be paid pursuant to the existing child support order, the court will view such amount as a change of circumstances substantial enough to require a modification of the support order.
