Regardless of their marital status, both parents must care for their children emotionally. Both parents must also provide financing to ensure the child has what they need to thrive. And when one parent has sole physical custody, the other must pay child support.
The court bases child support amounts on certain factors, such as parental income and the financial needs of the child. Accordingly, you may need to modify child support orders if changes occur. Here are a few important points to keep in mind.
Common reasons to modify child support orders
All families have different financial needs, so support arrangements can vary greatly. However, there are a few commonly cited reasons for modifications, including a change in employment. The courts use the noncustodial parent’s income as a factor when making decisions about child support. As a result, an increase or decrease in income can require an adjustment.
The financial needs of the child can also change over time. For example, if a child develops a medical condition that requires expensive treatment, the custodial parent can ask for an increase in the child support amount. If the noncustodial parent has another child with a new spouse, they may ask to decrease the amount to ensure that child is also well cared for.
Differences between administrative and superior court orders
Administrative orders typically result from phone hearings or accompany a Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility. On the other hand, superior court orders occur during the divorce hearing. With administrative orders, you can provide your request for modification in writing. With superior court orders, you must return to the court where your divorce took place to request modification.
