Modifying (Changing) a Support Order If the parties agree to modify their support order they may sign and file an agreement
for modification at Domestic Relations. If there is no agreement, one of the parties may file a "Petition to Modify", asking the Court to schedule the matter for a conference to determine whether or not the
support Order should be changed. If you want to modify an existing order (and the other party does not agree) you must file a petition with the Domestic Relations Section. You may file a petition on your
own or consult your attorney. This petition must state the reason that you are requesting a change in the support Order. Forms are available if you want to file a petition on your own to modify your present support
order. An appropriate order may be entered against either party based on the evidence presented without regard to which party initiated the support action.
Click here to view How to File a Petition to Modify. A support order can be changed by petition only if there has been a substantial change of circumstances (important events or problems that happened) since the order was made. Some reasons why your support Order may be changed are:
1. The income of one or both parties has greatly increased or decreased. 2. There are extraordinary (unusual) and ongoing medical expenses that were not present at the time the last order
was made. 3. A child on the support order is over eighteen years old and is no longer attending school. 4. The increased age of the child or other factors cause increased expenses. 5. Custody of the child/children changes.
Changes to support orders usually become effective no earlier than the date that the modification petition is filed. This means that, unless you were unable to file the modification petition because of
happenings that were beyond your control, changes to support orders cannot be applied to the time period before you filed the petition. Therefore, it is very important for the parties to petition the court as soon as
possible after experiencing a change in circumstances. Any changes to a support order will be retroactive (go back) to the date the Petition to Modify was started, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties. Parties
may suspend (stop) a support order at any time if they both agree, as long as the children are not on welfare. |
