A wide variety of details go into determining child support, from your income to the cost of your child’s daily schooling or care. When these details change, you may wonder whether your support order can change with them so that you can continue to meet your child’s needs and maintain strong finances in your home. When might you be able to request a modification to your support order?

WHEN CAN INDIANA FAMILIES REQUEST A MODIFICATION?

Generally, Indiana law requires people seeking a modification to meet a few specific requirements. The order must have been in place for at least 12 months, and the modified order must amount to a change of 20 percent or more from the existing order. These modifications can help address changes to the cost of living in your area, for example.

In some circumstances, though, orders that do not meet these requirements may still be eligible for modification. When a family experiences a significant and ongoing change in their circumstances, they may qualify for a modification even if they do not qualify under the general requirements. Some of these changes may include:

  • One parent becomes disabled and experiences a significant decrease in income
  • One parent loses their job
  • One parent receives a significant salary increase as a result of a promotion or job change
  • The child’s experiences a serious injury or illness that changes the cost of their medical care

While your child’s needs and your household budget may change over time, modifications can help your support order reflect those changes and continue to support your child as they grow.