Making Changes to Your Child Support

By Nottage and Ward on July 22, 2015

It is a common misconception that once an Illinois child support order is finalized, it is set in stone and cannot be changed. While it is true that many child support decisions do not change until a child becomes an adult or finishes college, it is also true that support orders can be changed. Illinois courts prefer to stand behind their decisions, but you can modify the order if you have reasonable requests and ample justifications.

There are a number of reasons why a custody support order should change. If you have lost your job or have been forced to take a pay cut, the current agreement may be financially untenable. Similarly, changes may be made if your former spouse’s situation has vastly improved. Modifications are also possible as the children grow and their needs and expenses change. All you have to do for the court is prove that there has been a significant change in circumstances.

You may want to modify your Illinois child support order if:

• You are the custodial parent and you know your ex is making much more money now than when the order was created.
• The cost of raising your kids has gone up considerably and you need more help.
• You are the non-custodial parent and you have less income or your spouse has much more income now.
• You have a short-term emergency that temporarily changes your circumstances.

Before going to court to request changes, it may be in your best interest to discuss your options with your ex. If you and your former spouse have remained friendly, it may be possible to come to a new agreement with little court intervention. You can even finalize a few changes through mediation with legal guidance.

If you are considering making changes to your child support order, do not wait. Reductions are not retroactive, so you will not save money by waiting. Furthermore, the sooner you begin to save money or receive more, the better. Contact an experienced Chicago child support attorney to obtain more information regarding your options.