How to Modify a Child Support Order by State

Updated August 2026

A child support order isn't permanent — if income, custody, or a child's needs change enough, either parent can ask to have it recalculated. Every state runs on the same federal framework, but the specific threshold for what counts as a "substantial change," and how you actually request a review, vary by state.

How Modification Works, in General

The 3-Year Review Right

Federal law requires every state's child support agency to let either parent request a review once an order is 3 years old — no proof of a changed circumstance required. Nearly every state uses some version of this, though the exact interval and process differ (Iowa uses 24 months, Delaware uses 2.5 years, Wisconsin and a few others tie it to when the order was last touched).

The "Substantial Change" Threshold

Outside that 3-year window, most states require showing a substantial change — and many define that with a specific number: commonly a 10–20% difference between the current order and what the guidelines would produce today. A handful of states (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, among others) skip the bright line and decide case by case instead.

Administrative Review vs. Going to Court

Most states let you start with a free administrative review through the child support agency, which can then bring the case to court if a change is warranted. A few states — Indiana, New Hampshire, South Dakota among them — require going through the court from the start; the agency can help prepare paperwork but can't change the order itself.

Fees Are Usually Small or Waived

Requesting a review through the state agency is free in most states. Filing a motion directly in court sometimes carries a modest fee — typically $25–$85 — and fee waivers are commonly available for parents who can't afford it, particularly if the state is already providing child support services.

Job Loss Isn't Automatically "Voluntary"

Nearly every state distinguishes a genuine, involuntary layoff from voluntarily quitting or coasting on a lower income. A real job loss is generally treated as a legitimate basis to seek a lower amount — but if a court finds a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it can "impute" income based on what that parent is capable of earning, and calculate support on that instead of their actual (lower) paycheck.

A modification changes the order going forward, not the past

In nearly every state, a modification only takes effect once it's filed and approved — it doesn't erase support that was already owed before that point. If you're paying support and your circumstances have changed, requesting a review as soon as possible matters, since arrears from before the modification typically still stand. This page is a general summary, not legal advice; confirm the current threshold, process, and any deadlines with the state's own child support office.

Modification Rules by State

Filter states

State	Modification Threshold	How to Request	Fee	Job Loss / Underemployment
Alabama	10% variance between the current order and the guideline amount creates a rebuttable presumption a modification is warranted.	Administrative review through DHR, or a direct court petition (Form PS-02).	$5–$25 DHR application fee; court filing fee varies.	Involuntary job loss doesn't trigger any special review, but Alabama courts will impute income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, estimating what that parent could otherwise be earning.
Alaska	15% variance between the current order and the guideline amount is presumed a material change.	CSSD review for agency-established orders; a Motion to Modify in court for court orders.	$75 court filing fee (often waived if both parents agree).	If the job loss was involuntary, the court typically recalculates support based on unemployment benefits or the parent's new, lower earning capacity — but voluntary and unreasonable unemployment or underemployment gets income imputed based on work history, education, and local job opportunities, up to a $138,000 cap.
Arizona	15%, or $50/month, whichever is less.	DCSS administrative review (Form CSE-1178A) or a court petition.	Not clearly stated for DCSS review; standard court filing fees apply for a petition.	Arizona courts assign potential income based on earning capacity, age, education, and work history when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed; a genuine involuntary layoff isn't held against the parent this way.
Arkansas	20% change in either parent's gross income.	OCSE administrative review, which files a court motion if the threshold is met.	$25 one-time application fee if not already an open case; additional legal-action charges if OCSE files in court.	Support doesn't stop automatically when a job ends — the existing order stays in force until it's officially modified — and Arkansas courts impute income to a parent found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on their earning potential.
California	20%, or $50/month, whichever is less.	Request a review and adjustment from your county Local Child Support Agency (LCSA), or go directly to court.	Free to request a review and adjustment through the LCSA.	A layoff isn't automatically treated as voluntary unemployment, but Family Code § 4058(b) lets courts impute income based on earning capacity when a parent's unemployment or underemployment doesn't serve the child's best interest.
Colorado	10% change in the monthly support amount.	Written review request to the county Child Support Services office, or a court motion (Form JDF 1403).	No fee for the administrative review; court filing fees apply for a motion.	Colorado courts impute potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid support — a genuinely involuntary job loss is treated differently, and taking a lower-paying job for a legitimate reason generally isn't considered "shirking."
Connecticut	15% variance between current income and the amount required under the guidelines.	Ask Support Enforcement Services (SES) to review, or file a motion for modification directly.	Not clearly stated; general IV-D child support services are free.	Connecticut courts may — but aren't required to — impute income from earning capacity when a parent becomes voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, such as quitting without good reason.
Delaware	A new order only issues if the guideline recalculation differs by 10% or more; petitions are eligible after 2.5 years (shorter than the federal 3-year standard) or with a substantial change.	Petition filed with Family Court, with help from the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).	Not clearly stated.	A parent found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed is imputed income for at least 40 hours a week based on work history, training, and education; a parent whose income drops through their own misconduct or choice can also be imputed at their prior income level.
District of Columbia	15% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.	Request a review and adjustment conference with the Child Support Services Division (CSSD); a motion to modify is then filed in D.C. Superior Court if needed.	Not clearly stated.	D.C. sets a comparatively high bar — a judge can only impute income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed as part of a bad-faith or deliberate effort to suppress income, not simply because they're out of work.
Florida	15% (minimum $50) if the order is under 3 years old; 10% (minimum $25) if it's older.	Ask the Child Support Program to review administratively, or file a petition in circuit court.	Not clearly stated.	Florida imputes income only when unemployment or underemployment is found to be voluntary; the statute (§ 61.30) explicitly protects a parent whose job loss is due to physical or mental incapacity or other circumstances beyond their control.
Georgia	15% variance (minimum $25/month change).	Application for review and modification through DCSS; DCSS files the case with the court or an administrative law judge if contested.	$100 review application fee, waived for TANF/Medicaid recipients or very low income.	Georgia courts impute income when there's no reliable evidence of income or a parent is voluntarily underemployed; DCSS also runs a Fatherhood Program to help noncustodial parents who genuinely can't pay because they're unemployed find work.
Hawaii	10% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.	Request review through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), or petition family court directly.	Not clearly stated.	Hawaii allows a deviation from the guideline amount for a parent who's involuntarily unemployed, disabled, or incarcerated, but will impute potential income when the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary.
Idaho	No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; a change must generally be sustained for at least 6 months if requested outside the 3-year cycle.	Request a review from Idaho Child Support Services; the actual order can only be changed by the court.	Fees may apply; exact amount not clearly stated.	Idaho imputes potential income to a parent who's voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on similar full-time work in the same field, with an exception for a parent caring for a child under 6 months old.
Illinois	20% change, as a general rule.	Free administrative review through Child Support Services (CSS), or petition the court directly.	Free through CSS; standard court fees apply for a direct petition.	Illinois courts calculate support on potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, but incarceration specifically is not treated as voluntary unemployment; a minimum $40/month per child applies to obligors near the poverty line.
Indiana	20% difference from the current guideline amount, if at least 12 months have passed since the order.	Modifications require a court order — the Title IV-D Prosecutor can file a Petition to Modify Support on a parent's behalf.	A general $55/year case fee applies (not modification-specific); court filing fees vary by county.	Indiana imputes potential income only when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed "without just cause" — a legitimate, involuntary job loss doesn't meet that standard.
Iowa	20% difference for a standard review; a sustained 50%+ income change can trigger an earlier administrative modification.	Submit a "Request to Modify a Child Support Order" to Child Support Services, or file directly with the court.	No general fee; a service-of-process fee may apply if a party must be formally served.	Only a judge — not Child Support Services' administrative review — has authority to impute income for voluntary unemployment or underemployment; a parent who's involuntarily unemployed or underemployed instead pays an amount appropriate to their actual lower income.
Kansas	10% change to the child support worksheet amount.	The District Court Trustee's office or DCF can assist, but the order is changed through a court Motion to Modify.	No charge to apply for services; court filing fees vary by county.	No Kansas-specific rule for job loss is clearly published; as with modification generally, courts evaluate this case by case and can impute income based on earning capacity if the reduced income looks voluntary rather than a genuine layoff.
Kentucky	15% change in the monthly support obligation.	Written request to the local Child Support Enforcement office, which files a legal action if the threshold is met.	A general $35/year service fee applies on non-TANF cases (not modification-specific).	Kentucky can find a parent voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without proving they intended to avoid child support — simply choosing not to work up to their capacity is enough to trigger imputed income based on potential earnings.
Louisiana	25% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.	Request a review through DCFS (online, phone, mail, or the CAFÉ portal), or file directly with the court.	No DCFS fee for the review request; court fees vary by parish.	Louisiana imputes income based on earning potential — typically the parent's pre-job-loss wage — when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary, with exceptions for parents who are physically or mentally incapacitated or caring for a child under 5; a good-faith job or business change that genuinely didn't work out isn't treated as voluntary underemployment.
Maine	15% variance if the order is under 3 years old; any variance qualifies once the order is 3 years or older.	Request an Order Review from DHHS (for agency orders), or file a Motion to Modify in court.	Not clearly stated.	Maine's guidelines allow imputing income to a parent who's unemployed, underemployed, or declines to provide current financial information, based on the wages they could earn rather than what they're actually making.
Maryland	No bright-line figure in statute; roughly a 25% income change is typically treated as material in practice.	Request a review from the Child Support Administration, or file a Motion to Modify (Form CC-DR-006) in circuit court.	$15 one-time application fee to open a new CSA case (waivable); court filing fees vary by county.	Maryland's "voluntary impoverishment" standard asks whether the parent's reduced income was a free and conscious choice, not whether they were specifically trying to avoid child support — a genuine layoff generally isn't voluntary impoverishment.
Massachusetts	No fixed percentage — support is modified if it's "inconsistent" with the current guidelines or there's a material and substantial change.	DOR Child Support Services can request a review, or a parent can file a Complaint for Modification in Probate and Family Court.	Free if DOR files; $55 filing fee plus $5 summons fee if a parent files directly.	Massachusetts can attribute income to a parent found capable of working but unemployed or underemployed; as of the 2023 guidelines update, incarceration specifically may not be treated as voluntary unemployment.
Michigan	10% of the current order, or $50/month, whichever is greater.	Request a review from the Friend of the Court (FOC), or file a Motion Regarding Support (Form FOC 50).	No fee for the FOC review; court filing fees vary by county.	Michigan imputes income only after a judge finds the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary — simply being out of work or earning less doesn't automatically mean income will be imputed.
Minnesota	20% AND at least $75/month difference from the current order (a lower income-drop threshold also applies in some cases).	Request a review through the county child support office, or file a Motion to Modify Child Support.	$50 court filing fee.	Minnesota calculates support on potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed, underemployed, or working less than full-time, using one of several methods set out in statute — a genuine involuntary job loss doesn't trigger this.
Mississippi	No fixed percentage confirmed outside the 3-year cycle — evaluated case by case.	Request the 3-year review through MDHS, or file a petition in Chancery Court for changes outside that window.	$25 MDHS application fee, waived for SNAP/TANF/Medicaid recipients.	Mississippi courts may calculate support based on what a parent could be earning when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary, evaluated case by case alongside the state's normal 3-year review.
Missouri	20% change from the current guideline-based amount (a 50%+ sustained income change can trigger an earlier review).	Written request to the Family Support Division, or a Motion to Modify filed directly in circuit court.	Not clearly stated for the FSD review; standard circuit court filing fees apply for a motion.	Missouri imputes income based on earning potential when a parent has voluntarily and deliberately become unemployed; courts are directed not to impute income when there's no evidence the job loss was voluntary.
Montana	30% income change is CSSD's example of a significant change justifying an early review.	Submit a Request for Review packet to CSSD, or file a modification motion with the District Court.	Not clearly stated.	An unemployed, underemployed, or student parent capable of working 40 hours a week can have income imputed based on that capacity, but a genuine, involuntary job loss is its own basis for a review through CSSD rather than presumed shirking.
Nebraska	10% change (minimum $25/month).	Apply for a review through DHHS's Review & Modification Unit, or file a Complaint for Modification directly in court.	Not clearly stated for the review itself; a general $35/year service fee applies separately.	Nebraska's earning-capacity rule lets courts impute income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, but the statute directs the court to weigh the specific circumstances behind the job loss rather than apply a flat rule.
Nevada	20% change in the paying parent's gross monthly income.	Administrative application through the county District Attorney's Family Support Division; the court enters the final order.	Free.	Nevada courts may impute income to a parent found underemployed or unemployed "without good cause"; the state also carves out involuntary institutionalization of 180 or more consecutive days as an exception.
New Hampshire	No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; after 3 years, no change needs to be shown at all.	Support orders can only be changed by the court — file a Petition to Change Court Order; DCSS can assist but can't modify orders itself.	A court filing fee applies; a fee waiver is available.	New Hampshire imputes the difference between what a parent is earning and what they've previously earned only when the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary and the parent isn't incapacitated — and unusually, if a parent is found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can also impute their new spouse's income to them.
New Jersey	No fixed percentage — New Jersey uses a general "changed circumstances" standard (Lepis v. Lepis).	A triennial administrative review through the Probation Child Support Enforcement Unit, or a motion filed in Family Division.	$25–$50 court motion fee; the administrative triennial review itself isn't stated to carry a fee.	New Jersey doesn't set a fixed rule for job loss — under the state's "changed circumstances" standard (Lepis v. Lepis), a genuine involuntary layoff is generally treated as a basis to seek modification, while imputed income based on earning capacity applies if the reduced income looks voluntary.
New Mexico	20% change in the calculated support obligation (agency policy).	Administrative review through the Child Support Services Division (CSSD); a court hearing follows if the parents don't agree.	Free — New Mexico eliminated all child support program fees in July 2024.	New Mexico imputes income when a parent has willfully failed to obtain or maintain appropriate employment or is willfully underemployed; incarceration alone is not considered voluntary unemployment.
New York	15% income change, or simply that 3 years have passed since the order.	File a modification petition in Family Court (Form 4-11); a separate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process runs administratively every 2 years.	Free — no filing fee for a Family Court modification petition.	New York imputes income based on a parent's earning capacity when they're found voluntarily unemployed or working below that capacity without good reason; a legitimate layoff is a recognized basis to seek a downward modification instead.
North Carolina	15% variance, for orders that are at least 3 years old.	Request a review through NC Child Support Services, or file a motion in the cause showing changed circumstances.	Not clearly stated for the review itself; a general application fee (up to $25) and $35 annual fee apply separately.	North Carolina requires a finding of bad faith — not just a voluntary choice — before a court will impute income based on earning capacity rather than a parent's actual current earnings.
North Dakota	Roughly a 15% variance in agency practice (recalculated amount below 85% or above 115% of the current order); a $50/month change for orders under 12 months old.	Request a review through ND Child Support, or file a motion directly with the district court.	Not clearly stated for the administrative review; a $160 filing fee applies for a direct court motion.	North Dakota's guidelines create a presumption of underemployment under specific conditions in the administrative code, triggering imputed income based on earning capacity; a genuine involuntary job loss falls outside that presumption.
Ohio	10% variance between the current order and the recalculated amount.	Request a review from your local Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), using form JFS 01849.	A nominal $1 application fee applies to opening CSEA services generally.	A court or the local Child Support Enforcement Agency must specifically find a parent voluntarily unemployed or underemployed before assigning "potential income" — that finding has to come first, not simply be assumed from a lower income.
Oklahoma	20% change (minimum $30/month).	Written request to your Child Support Services caseworker; either party can appeal to district court within 30 days.	No fee for the review request itself; ongoing annual fees apply separately once support is collected.	Oklahoma imputes income — often at a minimum-wage, full-time equivalent — for a parent found willfully or voluntarily unemployed or underemployed; some Oklahoma courts have reportedly treated periods of imprisonment similarly to voluntary unemployment when setting support, though this varies.
Oregon	15% of the current guideline amount, or $50, whichever is LESS.	Submit a "Request for Review" packet to the Oregon Child Support Program — no court appearance required for most cases.	Free.	Oregon assesses "potential income" — what a parent could be earning given work history, qualifications, and the local job market — when a parent is earning less than they're capable of; actual and potential income can be combined for a parent working below capacity.
Pennsylvania	No fixed percentage — Pennsylvania uses a general "material and substantial change" standard.	File a petition for modification with your county Domestic Relations Section (DRS).	Free — the Domestic Relations Section isn't permitted to charge a filing fee.	Pennsylvania assigns earning capacity instead of actual income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, and must also weigh that parent's child care responsibilities and expenses in setting that capacity.
Rhode Island	No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; a Motion for Review and Adjustment after 3 years doesn't require showing a change at all.	The Office of Child Support Services can file a modification motion on your behalf, or you can file as a self-represented party in Family Court.	Not clearly stated.	Rhode Island courts may attribute potential income based on a parent's previous employment when unemployment or underemployment is found voluntary; the Office of Child Support Services can help petition for a modification when a job loss is genuine instead.
South Carolina	No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case based on each parent's financial position.	For DSS-enforced orders, write to DSS/Child Support Enforcement requesting a review; private orders require filing a modification motion in family court directly.	Free through DSS.	South Carolina imputes income when a parent has the ability to earn more but chooses not to — under state case law, this can result in a support award that exceeds the unemployed parent's actual current income.
South Dakota	No fixed percentage — South Dakota applies its income-based guideline schedule; orders 3+ years old (for newer orders) don't need to show a change at all.	Only the Circuit Court can modify an order — file a Petition for Modification with the Division of Child Support.	$50 filing fee, waivable for those receiving certain public assistance.	South Dakota imputes income at no less than the state minimum wage for a 40-hour week to a parent who doesn't produce sufficient proof of income or whose unemployment is otherwise found voluntary.
Tennessee	15% variance between the current order and the recalculated amount.	Either parent can request a review at any time, handled judicially or administratively through the Department of Human Services.	Not clearly stated.	Once a Tennessee court finds a parent willfully and voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it calculates support based on potential income — but that finding of willfulness has to come first, so a genuine layoff doesn't automatically trigger it.
Texas	20% or $100, whichever is less, once the order is 3+ years old — or any material and substantial change, at any time.	Submit a Request for Review to the OAG Child Support Division, which can lead to an in-office negotiation (CSRP) or a court hearing.	Not clearly stated.	Texas courts can calculate support on earning capacity instead of actual income under Family Code § 154.066 when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary; for a genuine job loss, the OAG says a modified amount can instead be based on your past employment, ability to work, and the current federal minimum wage.
Utah	10% change if the order hasn't been modified in the last 3 years, or 15% if it has.	Submit a written request for "review and adjustment" to the Office of Recovery Services (ORS).	Not clearly stated.	Utah courts and agencies generally may not impute income to a parent unless the parent agrees to the imputed amount, defaults, or — in a contested case — a hearing establishes it's appropriate, which limits how quickly income gets imputed after a genuine job loss.
Vermont	10% variance from the guideline amount.	File a motion with Family Court; the Office of Child Support can help prepare the request.	A court filing fee applies; a fee waiver is available.	Vermont doesn't impute potential income to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parent if doing so would work against the child's best interest, and case law has found a parent isn't voluntarily unemployed if child care costs would exceed what they could earn.
Virginia	No fixed percentage confirmed — evaluated case by case.	Request a review through DCSE's MyChildSupport portal (for agency orders), or file a Motion to Amend for court orders.	Not clearly stated for modification; a general $35/year service fee applies separately.	Virginia won't impute income for at least 180 consecutive days of incarceration, and a genuine, good-faith employment change — like enrolling in a vocational program to increase future earning potential — is weighed in the parent's favor rather than treated as voluntary underemployment.
Washington	15% (updated from 25% effective January 2026).	Email or call the Division of Child Support for an administrative order review, or go through the county prosecutor/court for a court order.	Not clearly stated for DCS review; standard court filing fees apply for a petition.	Washington requires the court to impute income for voluntary unemployment or underemployment, but specifically bars imputing income to a parent who's already working full-time unless the court finds they're purposely underemployed to reduce support — a real layoff doesn't meet that bar.
West Virginia	10% variance for orders 3+ years old, or a 15% income change at any time.	Request a review at your local Bureau for Child Support Enforcement office, or file a Petition for Modification directly in family court.	$85 court filing fee, waivable for those who can't afford it.	West Virginia can "attribute" income to a parent who's voluntarily unemployed, voluntarily underemployed, or sitting on nonperforming assets — the standard focuses on whether the reduced income was a choice, not simply that the parent lost a job.
Wisconsin	No fixed percentage in statute — evaluated case by case (agencies often use roughly $50/month as an informal guide).	If both parents agree, file a Stipulation with the court; if not, request a free county agency review or file a contested Motion to Modify.	Free for an agreed stipulation or agency review; $30 filing fee for a contested court motion.	Wisconsin imputes income based on earning capacity when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed "without good cause" — a legitimate, involuntary job loss falls outside that standard.
Wyoming	20% variance from the current order (or a general substantial change, at any time).	File a petition with the court; the Wyoming Child Support Program can help initiate this for cases it's already handling.	No application fee for Wyoming Child Support Program services; court filing fee not confirmed.	Wyoming imputes a parent's potential earning capacity when they're voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, evaluated by looking at past work history, training, education, and local job opportunities — not applied to a genuine, involuntary layoff.

Alabama

Modification Threshold: 10% variance between the current order and the guideline amount creates a rebuttable presumption a modification is warranted.
How to Request: Administrative review through DHR, or a direct court petition (Form PS-02).
Fee: $5–$25 DHR application fee; court filing fee varies.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Involuntary job loss doesn't trigger any special review, but Alabama courts will impute income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, estimating what that parent could otherwise be earning.

Alaska

Modification Threshold: 15% variance between the current order and the guideline amount is presumed a material change.
How to Request: CSSD review for agency-established orders; a Motion to Modify in court for court orders.
Fee: $75 court filing fee (often waived if both parents agree).
Job Loss / Underemployment: If the job loss was involuntary, the court typically recalculates support based on unemployment benefits or the parent's new, lower earning capacity — but voluntary and unreasonable unemployment or underemployment gets income imputed based on work history, education, and local job opportunities, up to a $138,000 cap.

Arizona

Modification Threshold: 15%, or $50/month, whichever is less.
How to Request: DCSS administrative review (Form CSE-1178A) or a court petition.
Fee: Not clearly stated for DCSS review; standard court filing fees apply for a petition.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Arizona courts assign potential income based on earning capacity, age, education, and work history when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed; a genuine involuntary layoff isn't held against the parent this way.

Arkansas

Modification Threshold: 20% change in either parent's gross income.
How to Request: OCSE administrative review, which files a court motion if the threshold is met.
Fee: $25 one-time application fee if not already an open case; additional legal-action charges if OCSE files in court.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Support doesn't stop automatically when a job ends — the existing order stays in force until it's officially modified — and Arkansas courts impute income to a parent found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on their earning potential.

California

Modification Threshold: 20%, or $50/month, whichever is less.
How to Request: Request a review and adjustment from your county Local Child Support Agency (LCSA), or go directly to court.
Fee: Free to request a review and adjustment through the LCSA.
Job Loss / Underemployment: A layoff isn't automatically treated as voluntary unemployment, but Family Code § 4058(b) lets courts impute income based on earning capacity when a parent's unemployment or underemployment doesn't serve the child's best interest.

Colorado

Modification Threshold: 10% change in the monthly support amount.
How to Request: Written review request to the county Child Support Services office, or a court motion (Form JDF 1403).
Fee: No fee for the administrative review; court filing fees apply for a motion.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Colorado courts impute potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid support — a genuinely involuntary job loss is treated differently, and taking a lower-paying job for a legitimate reason generally isn't considered "shirking."

Connecticut

Modification Threshold: 15% variance between current income and the amount required under the guidelines.
How to Request: Ask Support Enforcement Services (SES) to review, or file a motion for modification directly.
Fee: Not clearly stated; general IV-D child support services are free.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Connecticut courts may — but aren't required to — impute income from earning capacity when a parent becomes voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, such as quitting without good reason.

Delaware

Modification Threshold: A new order only issues if the guideline recalculation differs by 10% or more; petitions are eligible after 2.5 years (shorter than the federal 3-year standard) or with a substantial change.
How to Request: Petition filed with Family Court, with help from the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: A parent found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed is imputed income for at least 40 hours a week based on work history, training, and education; a parent whose income drops through their own misconduct or choice can also be imputed at their prior income level.

District of Columbia

Modification Threshold: 15% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.
How to Request: Request a review and adjustment conference with the Child Support Services Division (CSSD); a motion to modify is then filed in D.C. Superior Court if needed.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: D.C. sets a comparatively high bar — a judge can only impute income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed as part of a bad-faith or deliberate effort to suppress income, not simply because they're out of work.

Florida

Modification Threshold: 15% (minimum $50) if the order is under 3 years old; 10% (minimum $25) if it's older.
How to Request: Ask the Child Support Program to review administratively, or file a petition in circuit court.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Florida imputes income only when unemployment or underemployment is found to be voluntary; the statute (§ 61.30) explicitly protects a parent whose job loss is due to physical or mental incapacity or other circumstances beyond their control.

Georgia

Modification Threshold: 15% variance (minimum $25/month change).
How to Request: Application for review and modification through DCSS; DCSS files the case with the court or an administrative law judge if contested.
Fee: $100 review application fee, waived for TANF/Medicaid recipients or very low income.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Georgia courts impute income when there's no reliable evidence of income or a parent is voluntarily underemployed; DCSS also runs a Fatherhood Program to help noncustodial parents who genuinely can't pay because they're unemployed find work.

Hawaii

Modification Threshold: 10% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.
How to Request: Request review through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), or petition family court directly.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Hawaii allows a deviation from the guideline amount for a parent who's involuntarily unemployed, disabled, or incarcerated, but will impute potential income when the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary.

Idaho

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; a change must generally be sustained for at least 6 months if requested outside the 3-year cycle.
How to Request: Request a review from Idaho Child Support Services; the actual order can only be changed by the court.
Fee: Fees may apply; exact amount not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Idaho imputes potential income to a parent who's voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on similar full-time work in the same field, with an exception for a parent caring for a child under 6 months old.

Illinois

Modification Threshold: 20% change, as a general rule.
How to Request: Free administrative review through Child Support Services (CSS), or petition the court directly.
Fee: Free through CSS; standard court fees apply for a direct petition.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Illinois courts calculate support on potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, but incarceration specifically is not treated as voluntary unemployment; a minimum $40/month per child applies to obligors near the poverty line.

Indiana

Modification Threshold: 20% difference from the current guideline amount, if at least 12 months have passed since the order.
How to Request: Modifications require a court order — the Title IV-D Prosecutor can file a Petition to Modify Support on a parent's behalf.
Fee: A general $55/year case fee applies (not modification-specific); court filing fees vary by county.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Indiana imputes potential income only when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed "without just cause" — a legitimate, involuntary job loss doesn't meet that standard.

Iowa

Modification Threshold: 20% difference for a standard review; a sustained 50%+ income change can trigger an earlier administrative modification.
How to Request: Submit a "Request to Modify a Child Support Order" to Child Support Services, or file directly with the court.
Fee: No general fee; a service-of-process fee may apply if a party must be formally served.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Only a judge — not Child Support Services' administrative review — has authority to impute income for voluntary unemployment or underemployment; a parent who's involuntarily unemployed or underemployed instead pays an amount appropriate to their actual lower income.

Kansas

Modification Threshold: 10% change to the child support worksheet amount.
How to Request: The District Court Trustee's office or DCF can assist, but the order is changed through a court Motion to Modify.
Fee: No charge to apply for services; court filing fees vary by county.
Job Loss / Underemployment: No Kansas-specific rule for job loss is clearly published; as with modification generally, courts evaluate this case by case and can impute income based on earning capacity if the reduced income looks voluntary rather than a genuine layoff.

Kentucky

Modification Threshold: 15% change in the monthly support obligation.
How to Request: Written request to the local Child Support Enforcement office, which files a legal action if the threshold is met.
Fee: A general $35/year service fee applies on non-TANF cases (not modification-specific).
Job Loss / Underemployment: Kentucky can find a parent voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without proving they intended to avoid child support — simply choosing not to work up to their capacity is enough to trigger imputed income based on potential earnings.

Louisiana

Modification Threshold: 25% variance between the current order and the guideline amount.
How to Request: Request a review through DCFS (online, phone, mail, or the CAFÉ portal), or file directly with the court.
Fee: No DCFS fee for the review request; court fees vary by parish.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Louisiana imputes income based on earning potential — typically the parent's pre-job-loss wage — when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary, with exceptions for parents who are physically or mentally incapacitated or caring for a child under 5; a good-faith job or business change that genuinely didn't work out isn't treated as voluntary underemployment.

Maine

Modification Threshold: 15% variance if the order is under 3 years old; any variance qualifies once the order is 3 years or older.
How to Request: Request an Order Review from DHHS (for agency orders), or file a Motion to Modify in court.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Maine's guidelines allow imputing income to a parent who's unemployed, underemployed, or declines to provide current financial information, based on the wages they could earn rather than what they're actually making.

Maryland

Modification Threshold: No bright-line figure in statute; roughly a 25% income change is typically treated as material in practice.
How to Request: Request a review from the Child Support Administration, or file a Motion to Modify (Form CC-DR-006) in circuit court.
Fee: $15 one-time application fee to open a new CSA case (waivable); court filing fees vary by county.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Maryland's "voluntary impoverishment" standard asks whether the parent's reduced income was a free and conscious choice, not whether they were specifically trying to avoid child support — a genuine layoff generally isn't voluntary impoverishment.

Massachusetts

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — support is modified if it's "inconsistent" with the current guidelines or there's a material and substantial change.
How to Request: DOR Child Support Services can request a review, or a parent can file a Complaint for Modification in Probate and Family Court.
Fee: Free if DOR files; $55 filing fee plus $5 summons fee if a parent files directly.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Massachusetts can attribute income to a parent found capable of working but unemployed or underemployed; as of the 2023 guidelines update, incarceration specifically may not be treated as voluntary unemployment.

Michigan

Modification Threshold: 10% of the current order, or $50/month, whichever is greater.
How to Request: Request a review from the Friend of the Court (FOC), or file a Motion Regarding Support (Form FOC 50).
Fee: No fee for the FOC review; court filing fees vary by county.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Michigan imputes income only after a judge finds the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary — simply being out of work or earning less doesn't automatically mean income will be imputed.

Minnesota

Modification Threshold: 20% AND at least $75/month difference from the current order (a lower income-drop threshold also applies in some cases).
How to Request: Request a review through the county child support office, or file a Motion to Modify Child Support.
Fee: $50 court filing fee.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Minnesota calculates support on potential income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed, underemployed, or working less than full-time, using one of several methods set out in statute — a genuine involuntary job loss doesn't trigger this.

Mississippi

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage confirmed outside the 3-year cycle — evaluated case by case.
How to Request: Request the 3-year review through MDHS, or file a petition in Chancery Court for changes outside that window.
Fee: $25 MDHS application fee, waived for SNAP/TANF/Medicaid recipients.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Mississippi courts may calculate support based on what a parent could be earning when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary, evaluated case by case alongside the state's normal 3-year review.

Missouri

Modification Threshold: 20% change from the current guideline-based amount (a 50%+ sustained income change can trigger an earlier review).
How to Request: Written request to the Family Support Division, or a Motion to Modify filed directly in circuit court.
Fee: Not clearly stated for the FSD review; standard circuit court filing fees apply for a motion.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Missouri imputes income based on earning potential when a parent has voluntarily and deliberately become unemployed; courts are directed not to impute income when there's no evidence the job loss was voluntary.

Montana

Modification Threshold: 30% income change is CSSD's example of a significant change justifying an early review.
How to Request: Submit a Request for Review packet to CSSD, or file a modification motion with the District Court.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: An unemployed, underemployed, or student parent capable of working 40 hours a week can have income imputed based on that capacity, but a genuine, involuntary job loss is its own basis for a review through CSSD rather than presumed shirking.

Nebraska

Modification Threshold: 10% change (minimum $25/month).
How to Request: Apply for a review through DHHS's Review & Modification Unit, or file a Complaint for Modification directly in court.
Fee: Not clearly stated for the review itself; a general $35/year service fee applies separately.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Nebraska's earning-capacity rule lets courts impute income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, but the statute directs the court to weigh the specific circumstances behind the job loss rather than apply a flat rule.

Nevada

Modification Threshold: 20% change in the paying parent's gross monthly income.
How to Request: Administrative application through the county District Attorney's Family Support Division; the court enters the final order.
Fee: Free.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Nevada courts may impute income to a parent found underemployed or unemployed "without good cause"; the state also carves out involuntary institutionalization of 180 or more consecutive days as an exception.

New Hampshire

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; after 3 years, no change needs to be shown at all.
How to Request: Support orders can only be changed by the court — file a Petition to Change Court Order; DCSS can assist but can't modify orders itself.
Fee: A court filing fee applies; a fee waiver is available.
Job Loss / Underemployment: New Hampshire imputes the difference between what a parent is earning and what they've previously earned only when the unemployment or underemployment is voluntary and the parent isn't incapacitated — and unusually, if a parent is found voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can also impute their new spouse's income to them.

New Jersey

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — New Jersey uses a general "changed circumstances" standard (Lepis v. Lepis).
How to Request: A triennial administrative review through the Probation Child Support Enforcement Unit, or a motion filed in Family Division.
Fee: $25–$50 court motion fee; the administrative triennial review itself isn't stated to carry a fee.
Job Loss / Underemployment: New Jersey doesn't set a fixed rule for job loss — under the state's "changed circumstances" standard (Lepis v. Lepis), a genuine involuntary layoff is generally treated as a basis to seek modification, while imputed income based on earning capacity applies if the reduced income looks voluntary.

New Mexico

Modification Threshold: 20% change in the calculated support obligation (agency policy).
How to Request: Administrative review through the Child Support Services Division (CSSD); a court hearing follows if the parents don't agree.
Fee: Free — New Mexico eliminated all child support program fees in July 2024.
Job Loss / Underemployment: New Mexico imputes income when a parent has willfully failed to obtain or maintain appropriate employment or is willfully underemployed; incarceration alone is not considered voluntary unemployment.

New York

Modification Threshold: 15% income change, or simply that 3 years have passed since the order.
How to Request: File a modification petition in Family Court (Form 4-11); a separate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process runs administratively every 2 years.
Fee: Free — no filing fee for a Family Court modification petition.
Job Loss / Underemployment: New York imputes income based on a parent's earning capacity when they're found voluntarily unemployed or working below that capacity without good reason; a legitimate layoff is a recognized basis to seek a downward modification instead.

North Carolina

Modification Threshold: 15% variance, for orders that are at least 3 years old.
How to Request: Request a review through NC Child Support Services, or file a motion in the cause showing changed circumstances.
Fee: Not clearly stated for the review itself; a general application fee (up to $25) and $35 annual fee apply separately.
Job Loss / Underemployment: North Carolina requires a finding of bad faith — not just a voluntary choice — before a court will impute income based on earning capacity rather than a parent's actual current earnings.

North Dakota

Modification Threshold: Roughly a 15% variance in agency practice (recalculated amount below 85% or above 115% of the current order); a $50/month change for orders under 12 months old.
How to Request: Request a review through ND Child Support, or file a motion directly with the district court.
Fee: Not clearly stated for the administrative review; a $160 filing fee applies for a direct court motion.
Job Loss / Underemployment: North Dakota's guidelines create a presumption of underemployment under specific conditions in the administrative code, triggering imputed income based on earning capacity; a genuine involuntary job loss falls outside that presumption.

Ohio

Modification Threshold: 10% variance between the current order and the recalculated amount.
How to Request: Request a review from your local Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), using form JFS 01849.
Fee: A nominal $1 application fee applies to opening CSEA services generally.
Job Loss / Underemployment: A court or the local Child Support Enforcement Agency must specifically find a parent voluntarily unemployed or underemployed before assigning "potential income" — that finding has to come first, not simply be assumed from a lower income.

Oklahoma

Modification Threshold: 20% change (minimum $30/month).
How to Request: Written request to your Child Support Services caseworker; either party can appeal to district court within 30 days.
Fee: No fee for the review request itself; ongoing annual fees apply separately once support is collected.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Oklahoma imputes income — often at a minimum-wage, full-time equivalent — for a parent found willfully or voluntarily unemployed or underemployed; some Oklahoma courts have reportedly treated periods of imprisonment similarly to voluntary unemployment when setting support, though this varies.

Oregon

Modification Threshold: 15% of the current guideline amount, or $50, whichever is LESS.
How to Request: Submit a "Request for Review" packet to the Oregon Child Support Program — no court appearance required for most cases.
Fee: Free.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Oregon assesses "potential income" — what a parent could be earning given work history, qualifications, and the local job market — when a parent is earning less than they're capable of; actual and potential income can be combined for a parent working below capacity.

Pennsylvania

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — Pennsylvania uses a general "material and substantial change" standard.
How to Request: File a petition for modification with your county Domestic Relations Section (DRS).
Fee: Free — the Domestic Relations Section isn't permitted to charge a filing fee.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Pennsylvania assigns earning capacity instead of actual income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, and must also weigh that parent's child care responsibilities and expenses in setting that capacity.

Rhode Island

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case; a Motion for Review and Adjustment after 3 years doesn't require showing a change at all.
How to Request: The Office of Child Support Services can file a modification motion on your behalf, or you can file as a self-represented party in Family Court.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Rhode Island courts may attribute potential income based on a parent's previous employment when unemployment or underemployment is found voluntary; the Office of Child Support Services can help petition for a modification when a job loss is genuine instead.

South Carolina

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — evaluated case by case based on each parent's financial position.
How to Request: For DSS-enforced orders, write to DSS/Child Support Enforcement requesting a review; private orders require filing a modification motion in family court directly.
Fee: Free through DSS.
Job Loss / Underemployment: South Carolina imputes income when a parent has the ability to earn more but chooses not to — under state case law, this can result in a support award that exceeds the unemployed parent's actual current income.

South Dakota

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage — South Dakota applies its income-based guideline schedule; orders 3+ years old (for newer orders) don't need to show a change at all.
How to Request: Only the Circuit Court can modify an order — file a Petition for Modification with the Division of Child Support.
Fee: $50 filing fee, waivable for those receiving certain public assistance.
Job Loss / Underemployment: South Dakota imputes income at no less than the state minimum wage for a 40-hour week to a parent who doesn't produce sufficient proof of income or whose unemployment is otherwise found voluntary.

Tennessee

Modification Threshold: 15% variance between the current order and the recalculated amount.
How to Request: Either parent can request a review at any time, handled judicially or administratively through the Department of Human Services.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Once a Tennessee court finds a parent willfully and voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it calculates support based on potential income — but that finding of willfulness has to come first, so a genuine layoff doesn't automatically trigger it.

Texas

Modification Threshold: 20% or $100, whichever is less, once the order is 3+ years old — or any material and substantial change, at any time.
How to Request: Submit a Request for Review to the OAG Child Support Division, which can lead to an in-office negotiation (CSRP) or a court hearing.
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Texas courts can calculate support on earning capacity instead of actual income under Family Code § 154.066 when unemployment or underemployment is voluntary; for a genuine job loss, the OAG says a modified amount can instead be based on your past employment, ability to work, and the current federal minimum wage.

Utah

Modification Threshold: 10% change if the order hasn't been modified in the last 3 years, or 15% if it has.
How to Request: Submit a written request for "review and adjustment" to the Office of Recovery Services (ORS).
Fee: Not clearly stated.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Utah courts and agencies generally may not impute income to a parent unless the parent agrees to the imputed amount, defaults, or — in a contested case — a hearing establishes it's appropriate, which limits how quickly income gets imputed after a genuine job loss.

Vermont

Modification Threshold: 10% variance from the guideline amount.
How to Request: File a motion with Family Court; the Office of Child Support can help prepare the request.
Fee: A court filing fee applies; a fee waiver is available.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Vermont doesn't impute potential income to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parent if doing so would work against the child's best interest, and case law has found a parent isn't voluntarily unemployed if child care costs would exceed what they could earn.

Virginia

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage confirmed — evaluated case by case.
How to Request: Request a review through DCSE's MyChildSupport portal (for agency orders), or file a Motion to Amend for court orders.
Fee: Not clearly stated for modification; a general $35/year service fee applies separately.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Virginia won't impute income for at least 180 consecutive days of incarceration, and a genuine, good-faith employment change — like enrolling in a vocational program to increase future earning potential — is weighed in the parent's favor rather than treated as voluntary underemployment.

Washington

Modification Threshold: 15% (updated from 25% effective January 2026).
How to Request: Email or call the Division of Child Support for an administrative order review, or go through the county prosecutor/court for a court order.
Fee: Not clearly stated for DCS review; standard court filing fees apply for a petition.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Washington requires the court to impute income for voluntary unemployment or underemployment, but specifically bars imputing income to a parent who's already working full-time unless the court finds they're purposely underemployed to reduce support — a real layoff doesn't meet that bar.

West Virginia

Modification Threshold: 10% variance for orders 3+ years old, or a 15% income change at any time.
How to Request: Request a review at your local Bureau for Child Support Enforcement office, or file a Petition for Modification directly in family court.
Fee: $85 court filing fee, waivable for those who can't afford it.
Job Loss / Underemployment: West Virginia can "attribute" income to a parent who's voluntarily unemployed, voluntarily underemployed, or sitting on nonperforming assets — the standard focuses on whether the reduced income was a choice, not simply that the parent lost a job.

Wisconsin

Modification Threshold: No fixed percentage in statute — evaluated case by case (agencies often use roughly $50/month as an informal guide).
How to Request: If both parents agree, file a Stipulation with the court; if not, request a free county agency review or file a contested Motion to Modify.
Fee: Free for an agreed stipulation or agency review; $30 filing fee for a contested court motion.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Wisconsin imputes income based on earning capacity when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed "without good cause" — a legitimate, involuntary job loss falls outside that standard.

Wyoming

Modification Threshold: 20% variance from the current order (or a general substantial change, at any time).
How to Request: File a petition with the court; the Wyoming Child Support Program can help initiate this for cases it's already handling.
Fee: No application fee for Wyoming Child Support Program services; court filing fee not confirmed.
Job Loss / Underemployment: Wyoming imputes a parent's potential earning capacity when they're voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, evaluated by looking at past work history, training, education, and local job opportunities — not applied to a genuine, involuntary layoff.

How to Modify a Child Support Order by State

How Modification Works, in General

The 3-Year Review Right

The "Substantial Change" Threshold

Administrative Review vs. Going to Court

Fees Are Usually Small or Waived

Job Loss Isn't Automatically "Voluntary"

A modification changes the order going forward, not the past

Modification Rules by State

Helpful Guides

Calculator & Guidelines

When Support Ends

Interstate Cases

Establishing Paternity