When is a child support modification order appropriate?

Child support payments are something of a touchy subject for some people. For the parent who is receiving the child support, getting as much as possible is sometimes a priority. For the parent who is paying, making sure enough money is left to live on after the child support payment is made is a priority. That isn't to say that the paying parent doesn't want to give as much as possible, but he or she does still have to live. There are some instances in which a parent paying child support might need to seek a change to the child support order. Our readers in Virginia might like to learn a bit about child support modifications.

When should I seek a child support modification?

There are various situations that might warrant a child support modification. If you are paying child support and lose your job, you might need to seek a modification order. You might be able to seek a child support modification if there is a change in the laws governing child support. There are even some legal situations that warrant a sperm donor to pay child support. There are several other instances that might necessitate a change in child support, so seeking assistance if you think you need a modification might help you decide how to handle the situation.

How do I get a child support order modified?

You have to go to court to get a child support modification. It is possible for you and your child's other parent to agree on the modification and present that request in writing to the court, according to FindLaw. The agreement will still have to meet the state's child support guidelines in order for a judge to approve the request.

When you need a child support modification, you should act as quickly as possible. Child support orders aren't retroactive, so you won't be held to the new order until it is actually ordered. This means that if you are seeking a reduction in child support, you are still responsible for the higher amount until the judge orders a lower amount.

Source: FindLaw, "Can I Change a Child Support Order After Changing Jobs?" Nov. 02, 2014