If child support was part of your divorce, the court may have taken many factors into account when deciding payment amounts. In addition to your incomes as separate parents, a judge may have considered your children’s age-specific health care and educational needs.
However, as time passes and your children grow, you may find that a support order that made sense in the beginning no longer meets your current financial reality. In Minnesota, either parent can ask for a review of support amounts to determine if modification may be necessary.
When can a parent request a support review?
Either you or your ex-spouse may request a support review. The court may approve changing payment amounts if either a parent’s ability to pay or a child’s needs have changed substantially since the last order.
What are examples of substantial life changes?
Examples of significant changes in circumstances that could affect support amounts include:
- A major increase or decrease in your, your ex-spouse’s income
- A dramatic change in living expenses for you or your ex-spouse
- A significant change in health care coverage
- A substantial change in a child’s medical, educational or other care needs
Additionally, modification may be necessary if you and your former spouse change your custody arrangements or need to relocate.
You and your spouse may agree to change your current support order. However, it is still important to get approval from the court for any changes to support amounts. If you have a good relationship with your ex-spouse, you may be able to create your own support agreement, however, it is essential to get court approval if you plan on changing your original divorce agreement.