Modifying Child Support in California: A Comprehensive Guide

Life changes, and so do the financial needs of children and their parents. If you’re paying or receiving child support in California and something significant in your situation has changed—such as job loss, income increase, or a change in custodial time—you may be eligible to modify your child support order. In this 2025 California-focused guide, we explain when and how to seek a child support modification, what courts require, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the process.

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Understanding Child Support in California

Child support is calculated using a statewide formula under Family Code § 4055. This formula factors in each parent’s income and custodial time. The support amount is considered correct unless the court finds that a different amount is appropriate under specific legal exceptions.

However, circumstances aren’t static. California law allows for post-judgment modification if there's a “material change in circumstances.”

What Qualifies as a Change in Circumstances?

A judge will not modify child support just because one parent asks. There must be a legally recognized change in circumstances. Common examples include:

• Loss of employment or income (including layoff, firing, or disability)

• Significant increase in income (raises, new job, business profits)

• Change in the custody arrangement

• One parent has another child or a change in dependents

• Incarceration of the paying parent

• Changes in health insurance costs

• Child turns 18 or graduates high school

  
  

If the existing order was based on a stipulation or agreement, you still need to show that something material has changed since it was entered.

📖 Learn more about child support laws at FindLaw

Do I Need to Go to Court to Modify Child Support?

Yes. Only the court can modify a child support order. If you and your co-parent agree on a new amount, you must still submit a Stipulation and Order for the judge to sign. If you don’t have an agreement, you must file a Request for Order (FL-300) asking the court to modify the support order. A judge will then review the financial evidence and determine whether a change is warranted.

What Forms Do I Need?

To initiate a request to modify child support, you must file the following forms:

• FL-300 – Request for Order

• FL-150 – Income and Expense Declaration

• FL-191 – Child Support Case Registry Form (if this is a new or updated order)

• FL-155 – Financial Statement (Simplified) [if eligible as an alternative to FL-150]

  
  

If you received a request from the other party, you’ll file:

• FL-320 – Responsive Declaration to Request for Order

• Updated FL-150 with supporting documentation

  
  

📌 Need help filling these out? Start here.

What If My Income Dropped? Can I File Right Away?

Yes. If you lost your job or had your income reduced, you can request a modification immediately. However, the court cannot retroactively change the amount prior to the date you filed. That’s why you should file the RFO as soon as possible.

Even if you’re in the process of getting a new job, don’t delay filing—support arrears accumulate with interest at 10% per year and can’t be forgiven later.

If you’re laid off or injured, be prepared to show:

• Pay stubs from previous employment

• Termination letter or unemployment benefits paperwork

• Doctor’s notes if health-related

• Job applications to prove you're actively seeking work

  
  

What If My Ex Got a Raise or Is Earning More?

You can file for modification if the other parent’s income has substantially increased and the current support order is no longer fair. You’ll need to support your claim with:

• Proof of their new job title or company

• Social media or LinkedIn updates

• Income and Expense Declaration (you can subpoena if they don’t provide it)

• Tax returns or bank statements (if discoverable)

  
  

The court has broad discretion to impute income if they believe someone is underreporting or purposely earning less.

How Does Custody Time Affect Support?

Parenting time plays a major role in California’s support formula. If one parent now has significantly more time with the child, the support amount may be lowered or increased accordingly.

A shift from 30% to 50% custodial time, for instance, could reduce the paying parent’s support obligation by hundreds of dollars per month.

Make sure your current custody orders or visitation schedule are documented and up to date—especially if informal changes have become permanent.

Temporary vs. Permanent Orders

The court may issue a temporary order while your RFO is pending. For example, if you’re recently unemployed and facing hardship, you may be granted a temporary reduction.

However, the final order won’t be made until your hearing, where the judge will review updated evidence from both parties. Be prepared to explain:

• Why the change is necessary

• What efforts you’ve made to comply with the prior order

• Whether your proposed amount is based on current DissoMaster calculations

  
  

If granted, the new order replaces the prior one and governs support moving forward.

Do I Need an Attorney to Modify Support?

Not necessarily. Many people represent themselves in family court. However, working with an attorney can:

• Ensure accurate DissoMaster calculations

• Prevent procedural mistakes or missed deadlines

• Strengthen your case presentation at the hearing

• Address discovery issues if the other party refuses to disclose financials

  
  

We also offer document preparation support for those who want the paperwork handled properly but don’t need full representation.

📋 Explore flat-fee support options.

What Happens at the Hearing?

At the hearing, both parties present their evidence and arguments. The court will review:

• Both FL-150s

• Custody time logs

• Job search evidence or new income

• Health insurance changes

• Any new dependents

  
  

The judge will then recalculate the amount and either grant, deny, or modify the support order. If a party fails to appear, the court may proceed without them.

Can DCSS Modify Child Support?

Yes. If your case is open with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), you can request a modification directly through their office. DCSS will:

• Review current incomes and parenting time

• Provide a proposed new order

• File the paperwork and notify both parties

  
  

You can also go through court separately if DCSS delays or declines to assist.

Can I Modify Support Retroactively?

Only from the date you file the RFO—not before. That’s why, if your financial situation changed, file immediately even if you’re gathering documents. The court can then “backdate” any order to that filing date.

What If the Other Parent Won’t Cooperate?

If the other party refuses to disclose financials or hides income, you can:

• File a Request for Order for Discovery Sanctions

• Serve Form Interrogatories – Family Law (FL-145)

• Subpoena their employer, bank, or tax documents

  
  

If they still withhold information, the court may impute income based on earning capacity or prior income.

Enforcement of Modified Orders

Once a new order is in place, it’s enforceable like any other. If your ex doesn’t pay:

• File for contempt

• Request wage garnishment

• Seek DMV or license suspensions (via DCSS)

  
  

Support arrears accrue interest at 10% annually and are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Enforcement is permanent.

Final Thoughts

Modifying child support in California isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fairness and ensuring that the support order matches your current reality. Whether you’ve lost your job, gained more custody time, or discovered your ex is making more than reported, you have the right to ask the court for a new order.

The key is filing promptly, presenting strong evidence, and understanding your legal options. If you're unsure where to start, we can help.

📞 Contact Gramling Law Group 📋 Start your modification request or get legal documents prepared

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this article or contacting Gramling Law Group does not form an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance tailored to your case, contact a licensed California family law attorney.