Child support doesn’t always stay the same. As kids grow and life shifts, what made sense a year ago might no longer work today. Whether you pay support or receive it, you may reach a point when an update becomes necessary. A child support lawyer in Raleigh will help you take the right steps from the start.
Support orders follow strict guidelines, but those rules still allow room for change. You won’t adjust the amount on your own—the court will need to approve it. If you ask for too little or too much or miss a legal requirement, the court could reject the request.
A strong modification starts with a clear reason, the right paperwork, and an honest look at your current situation.
What Is Child Support Modification?
Child support modification refers to a legal process that changes the amount one parent pays the other. Either parent may request a change after the court issues a final order.
In North Carolina, the court won’t make adjustments unless you show a substantial change in circumstances or unless it’s been three years since the earlier order. A substantial change is something significant, not a small or temporary setback.
If the court approves your request, it will replace the current order with a new one that reflects your updated situation.
Reasons to Modify Child Support Orders
North Carolina law allows for modification when life takes a major turn. Examples include:
- A parent’s income changes by 15% or more
- One parent loses a job or gets a higher-paying one
- A new custody schedule shifts parenting time
- A child turns 18, moves out, or no longer needs support
- A parent takes on new medical expenses or financial obligations
You won’t need to prove bad faith. But you will need to show that the change affects the child’s needs or either parent’s ability to meet those needs.
Steps to Modify a Child Support Order
The child support modification process follows a clear path through family court. Here’s what that will include:
Review the Current Order
Start by reading the original court order. Check the amount, dates, and custody terms. That information will help you explain why the order no longer works.
Gather Evidence
The court will not accept a verbal request. You must provide documentation. Gather pay stubs, tax returns, medical records, or custody calendars that show how your situation has changed.
File a Motion to Modify Child Support
You’ll need to go back to the same court that handled your original order. Your motion should explain what’s changed and why the current setup no longer works for your family.
Serve the Other Parent
Once you file the motion, you must legally notify the other parent. They will have a chance to respond and present their own evidence.
Attend the Hearing
Both parents will appear before a judge. The court will review the evidence and ask questions. You must explain how the changes affect your ability to pay or care for your child.
Wait for the Court’s Decision
If the judge agrees that a substantial change occurred, the court will issue a new child support order. That order replaces the previous one and becomes legally binding.
Changing Child Support Payments
A judge may increase or decrease support based on what the facts show. For example:
- A pay raise may lead to higher payments
- A job loss may reduce the amount
- More parenting time may shift financial responsibility
The court won’t modify support just because one parent asks for it. The evidence must support the change.
You also can’t retroactively adjust past payments. The new order will apply going forward, not backward. Any missed payments under the old order must still be paid.
Custody Changes and Child Support Adjustments
Custody and support go hand in hand. If the parenting schedule shifts, support may need to change, too.
North Carolina uses three worksheets to calculate child support:
- Worksheet A for primary custody
- Worksheet B for shared custody
- Worksheet C for split custody
If a parent gains more overnights or moves to a shared schedule, the new worksheet could lower the payment. If one parent takes on full custody, the court may increase support to reflect that shift. Even small custody changes may affect how the court views financial responsibility.
Financial Hardship and Child Support Modification
Temporary hardship alone may not qualify for modification. The court looks for long-term or permanent changes that affect a parent’s ability to meet obligations.
Still, if you face job loss, serious illness, or another unexpected event, you should file a motion as soon as possible. Waiting too long may result in unpaid support that continues to add up until the court steps in.
If you cannot pay, the court expects you to step up, not disappear. An early response shows that you take the responsibility seriously.
Court Approval for Child Support Changes
You can’t make an informal agreement with the other parent and assume it will stand. North Carolina requires formal court approval for any changes to a support order.
Even if both parents agree, the court must sign off before the change becomes valid. This protects the child’s interests and keeps both parents accountable.
A judge will always base the decision on what serves the child’s best interests, not just the parents’ preferences.
Updating Child Support Payments
After the court approves a change, the new order replaces the old one. That updated amount becomes the new standard moving forward.
You must start paying the new amount right away, based on the court’s timeline. The court may also update wage withholding, insurance responsibilities, and tax credit instructions.
Keep a copy of the updated order for your records and confirm any changes with your employer or child support agency.
When Life Changes, So Can Support
If your financial situation or custody arrangement no longer matches your support order, you have options. A child support lawyer in Raleigh will help you file the right motion, present strong evidence, and follow the process from start to finish.
At Marshall & Taylor PLLC, we believe that fair support helps everyone move forward. We will work with you to request changes that make sense for your family’s future. Contact us online or call (919) 833-1040 to speak with a Raleigh child support attorney who understands what matters most.