Modify Child Support - Minnesota Court Forms and Information
What is Child Support Modification?
Modification means changing an existing court order. Either parent can ask for a change in child support by filing a motion in court to modify their child support order.
When can I modify my child support order?
You can file a motion to modify at any time, but the court only sees certain things as reasons to modify a child support order.
A judge or magistrate will only modify a child support order if there has been a "substantial change" in the needs of the child or parents’ finances that makes the order you have unfair. The court will not change the child support order unless the child support amount will go up or down by at least 20% and $75.
Some of the reasons to change a child support order include
- A change of at least 20% in the gross income of the parent who pays the support
- A change in the number of joint children supported by the parent who pays the support
- A parent starts getting public assistance
- There is a large change in child care costs
- There is a change in availability of medical or dental coverage
- A joint child becomes disabled
- Both parties agree to change the order
- A child becomes an adult
- A big change in the income or needs of either parent
- A big change in the needs of the child
- High medical costs for the child
- A big change in the parenting time schedule
For more details on changing a child support order, read Chapter 5 "Changing an Existing Child Support Order" in Child Support Basics.