• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Legal Templates
  • Business Forms
    Business & Contracts

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Business Forms
    Business Formation
    • Business Plan
    • LLC Operating Agreement
    • Articles of Incorporation
    • Corporate Bylaws
    • Buy-Sell Agreement
    Business Operations
    • Business Contract
    • Partnership Agreement
    • Non-Disclosure Agreement
    • Release of Liability
    • Letter of Intent
    Sales and Payments
    • Purchase Agreement
    • Sales Agreement
    • Invoice
    • Purchase Order
    • Business Purchase
    Employment and HR
    • Employment Contract
    • Employment Offer
    • Employment Verification
    • Freelance Contract
    • Non-Compete Agreement
    View All Business Forms
  • Real Estate Forms
    Real Estate

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Real Estate Forms
    Landlords
    • Lease Agreement
    • Property Management
    • Eviction Notice
    • Late Rent Notice
    • Lease Termination
    Tenants
    • Room Rental
    • Sublease Agreement
    • Roommate Agreement
    • Notice to Vacate
    • Early Lease Termination
    Home Ownership
    • Real Estate Purchase Agreement
    • Mortgage Deed
    • Quitclaim Deed
    • Deed of Trust
    • Moving Checklist
    View all Real Estate Forms
  • Personal & Family Forms
    Personal and Family

    All of our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Save your hard-earned money and time with Legal Templates.

    Top Personal and Family Forms
    Estate Planning
    • Power of Attorney
    • Last Will & Testament
    • Living Will
    • Advance Directive
    • DNR Form
    Personal Finance
    • Bill of Sale
    • Loan Agreement
    • Purchase Agreement
    • Promissory Note
    • Sales Agreement
    Family Matters
    • Parenting Plan
    • Child Travel Consent
    • Divorce Agreement
    • Separation Agreement
    • Prenuptial Agreement
    Affidavits
    • General Affidavit
    • Gift Affidavit
    • Affidavit of Identity
    • Affidavit of Residence
    • Affidavit of Death
    View All Personal Forms
  • Support
    Resources
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Personal and Family
    • Financial
    • Estate Planning
    Support
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • All Legal Documents

    Monday - Friday | 9AM - 7PM EDT

    (855) 335-9779

  • Sign In
  • :email

Home Personal & Family Documents Child Support Modification

Child Support Modification Form

Use our child support modification form to update a child support agreement.

Updated May 17, 2022

A child support modification form is a document used to request changes to a court-ordered child support agreement. Parents who are separated or divorced often use this document when they have a significant change in circumstances. For example, a co-parent can ask a court to modify their payment amount due to a loss of employment or a substantial decrease in income. If both parents agree, they can complete and sign a revised child support agreement and adhere to its terms while waiting for their child support hearing. 

This document is also sometimes referred to as:

  • Request for Modification of Child Support
  • Child Support Adjustment Form
  • Support Modification Petition
  • Petition to Modify Child Support
Table of Contents
  • What is a Child Support Modification Form?
  • How To Write a Child Support Modification Form
  • What To Include in a Modification of Child Support
  • Sample Child Support Modification Form
  • Tips for Writing a Child Support Modification Form
  • Child Support Modification Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Child Support Modification Form?

Child support is a payment often made in intervals by one spouse to the other spouse to cover the financial needs of any children they may have. Both parents have an obligation to support such children, and courts can obligate one party to pay child support.

A child support modification form is then a document that allows a spouse to request changes to the payment amount in their child support obligations.

How To Write a Child Support Modification Form

Before writing your child support agreement, keep in mind that laws on child support modification vary from state to state, so it’s essential to research your state’s specific requirements. 

‌For example, in Illinois, you can only modify child support every three years or when there is a significant change in one parent’s situation. On the other hand, California law allows child support to be modified at any time as long as the proposed change is greater than $50 or 20% of the total child support amount.

IMPORTANT: Child Support Papers

Remember, your child support papers won’t be legally enforceable until a judge approves them, and there is no guarantee that a court will grant your request. Before issuing a new order, a judge must find that modifying the existing child support would be in your child’s best interests.

What To Include in a Modification of Child Support

Once you have the form for your state, you can complete it by including the following information:

  • Each parent’s full name and address
  • Each child’s full name and birthdate
  • The date of the existing child support order
  • The current child support amount and the frequency of payments
  • A copy of your state’s Child Support Guidelines attached as Exhibit A to the form
  • The new child support amount and frequency of payments
  • A statement verifying which parent shall pay the child’s health insurance and/or tuition payments

‌On the child support modification form, you must also indicate whether you want your local child support enforcement agency to administer the child support or if the child support will be paid directly from one parent to the other. ‌

After you’ve completed the form, you and the co-parent must sign it. Some states also require the presence of up to two witnesses. Once the witnesses have signed the form, you must attach it to a petition to modify child support document and file both the form and the petition in the appropriate jurisdiction. Please note that a petition to modify child support is required to make any modifications to your child support agreement. Check your state government website for specific information on the filing process.   

‌The court will notify you of a child support modification hearing after you’ve filed your petition and attached the form. At the hearing, a judge will review your case, determine if the child support agreement meets your child’s best interests, and, if so, issue a revised child support order. ‌

Sample Child Support Modification Form

Below is a sample of a child support modification form. 

Child Support Modification

Sample Child Support Modification Letter

Download PDF
Download Word doc

Tips for Writing a Child Support Modification Form

When drafting your child support form, be sure to provide any additional information you want the court to include in the revised child support order. For example, if you and the other parent have agreed to pay a portion of your child’s extracurricular activity fees, you must clearly define the payment details. Include the amounts both of you will pay, how you two will make the payments, and when. For instance, parents could pay 60% and 40%, respectively, with payments made when fees arise or with regular child support payments. 

If the new child support order doesn’t include each term you and your co-parent have agreed to, you may have difficulty enforcing a verbal agreement later if the other parent fails to pay.  The more detailed you are in your child support modification form, the more likely you will avoid future disputes. 

Additionally, most states that have statutory child support guidelines require you to comply with them. These guidelines are based on a few different models:

  • Income Shares: This model reflects what the child would have received if the parents lived together. It takes into account the income of both parents and other expenses such as childcare and extraordinary medical expenses.
  • Percentage of Income: This model only takes into account the noncustodial parent’s income and applies a percentage to their income.

‌‌If you deviate from those guidelines, you generally have to provide a valid reason why you and the other parent have agreed to a different child support amount. 

For more tips on filling in the document correctly, check out our guide on child support modification forms.

Child Support Modification Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write my own child support modification letter?

Yes, you can write your own child support modification letter using our templates or form builder, which will guide you through the creation process. If you are uncertain about filling in the details of the form, you should consult a family law attorney.

‌

What paperwork do I need to modify my child support with the court?

When you file your child support modification form with the court, you will need to attach your existing child support order and a copy of the child support guidelines if your state requires them. At the child support hearing, you should bring copies of your most recent tax return, pay stubs, and any documentation you have verifying your child’s expenses, like health insurance, daycare, or tuition.

Related Family Matters Documents

  • Child Medical Consent: A Child Medical Consent form is a written document authorizing another adult to make healthcare decisions for a minor child.
  • Parenting Plan: Outline the details regarding the custody, visitation, and parenting arrangements of their children.
  • Separation Agreement: Outlines how a separated couple will handle property, assets, debts, and bills.
child support modification form template

Free Child Support Modification Form

Create Your Child Support Modification in Minutes!

Legal Documents

  • All Legal Forms
  • Business Forms
  • Real Estate Forms
  • Personal and Family Forms

Popular Forms

  • Lease Agreements
  • Power of Attorney Forms
  • Eviction Notice
  • Living Will
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement

Resources

  • Legal Resources
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Personal & Family
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial
  • Covid-19 Resources

Company

  • Pricing
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Partner With Us
  • Legal Dictionary

Users

  • Account
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
McAfee - Together is power.
Trustpilot
Legal Templates BBB Accredited Business

(855) 335-9779, Monday-Friday, 9AM - 7PM EDT

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Copyright 2023 Legal Templates LLC. Legal Templates LLC is not a lawyer, or a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law. Legal Templates cannot and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software and services provided on the site are for informational purposes and self-help only and are not intended to be a substitute for a lawyer or professional legal advice. Our legal contracts and documents are drafted and regularly updated by attorneys licensed in their respective jurisdictions, paralegals, or subject matter experts. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use. Legaltemplates.net is owned and operated by Resume Technologies Limited, London with offices in London United Kingdom.

Thank you for downloading one of our free legal templates!

Would you leave us a review?

We hope you've found what you need and are able to avoid the time, costs, and stress associated with dealing with a lawyer.

A review would mean the world to us (it only takes about 15 seconds).

Please check your download folder for MS Word or open tabs for PDF so you can access your FREE Legal Template Sample

Thanks again, and good luck!

Leave My Review