There are many reasons why one may want to change their current child support payments.
The purpose for trying to change an existing child support agreement can be for one of two reasons:
Either a parent wants the amount of the payments to be smaller, or a parent wants the amount of each child support payment to be bigger. Whether or not the parents agree on the modification, they should still get an official court order to change the amount of child support.
Issues can arise that leave the parent needing a child support modification.
A parent facing child support issues may have the purpose to change the child support order, and this is referred to as a modification of child support. However, this request for child support modification will not always be granted.
Either parent can file a motion to modify the child support arrangement. If the parent’s goal is to get the amount of child support lowered, they should make sure that they have a valid reason for wanting to lower the amount of the child support payments.
There are many child support issues that may lead a parent into seeking a modification of child support.
Child support issues may also arise if the custodial parent wants the amount of the child support payments raised. There are many reasons why the custodial parent may want the amount of the child support payments to be raised.
Like the non-custodial parent, if the custodial parent’s purpose is to raise the amount of the child support payments, they should have a valid reason.
Evidence of this reason or reasons should be brought to the attention of the family court. A judge is not likely to grant a child support modification based on a parent’s whim.
Some situations may lead a judge to decide that a child support modification would be unfair. Other situations may make a judge decide that a child support modification is in order.
While the purpose of changing the court-ordered child support amount may be valid, it is still a matter that is considered carefully.
