How to Reduce Child Support

Once the child support order has been put in place, the amount that you are required to pay is certainly not permanent. If your circumstances change - say, you lose your job, or health insurance costs go up - then you can always go back to the judge and apply to reduce your child support payments. You should be reviewing and making changes to your support payments on a monthly basis, as your income goes down or you receive raises. If you need to make changes to your payment structure, here is how to reduce child support:

Instructions

1. Gather Your Financial Information

   Before filing a petition to reduce child support, you will need to gather all of your relevant financial information. This includes your last few pay stubs to show your current income, older pay stubs to show a reduction in your income, documents showing and increase in the medical insurance, day care costs, or other monthly fees you are paying for your children. If you have no reduction in income or increase in costs and are simply contesting the amount of support you are currently paying, you should complete a child support worksheet for your state to see how much you really should be paying. You can find your state's support worksheet by visiting the URL below and choosing your state:

   If you find that, after filling out the worksheet, the amount calculated is equal to or more than the amount you are currently paying, then you will not be able to reduce your child support payments. This is an indication that you are paying a fair amount as dictated by law.

2. Fill Out the Application

   To file for a reduction in support payments, you will need to pick up an application either from the family courthouse or the state child support office. You can contact the clerk of the family court to find out where to pick up the application. You may also be able to find it by searching your state's official website.

   Once you have the application, fill it out completely. You will need to divulge your current gross income (before taxes) and any other forms of income you current have, including investments and interest received from a savings account. Then, either include your expenses, or attach a copy of the worksheet you filled out earlier to get your estimated child support payment. You should also include copies of your pay stubs, and documents showing any additional income and the current expenses you are paying for your children.

3. File the Application

   After completion, take the application down to the courthouse to file it. You will need to pay a filing fee, which can range anywhere from $10 to $50. If your application is accepted, you will receive a hearing date. Both you and the parent receiving support will need to attend the hearing. If you fail to show up, your application will likley not be considered and support payments will stay the same.

   The parent receiving support can also file a response fighting the reduction, or even ask for an increase if they have reason to believe that you should be making more. If they do, you will both need to present your points at the hearing, and the judge will decide whether or not to reduce or increase the support payments, or leave the amount as it already is. An order will be entered, which will override the current support order, and the new order will become effective immediately.