Child support is an ever-changing payment depending on circumstances. This is especially true for income changes of the paying parent. If you are the paying parent and you receive a substantial promotion that significantly increases your income, you child support is legally obligated to modify. On the flip-side, your child support obligations should modify if you lose your job or receive a demotion.
Child Support Modification: Legal Grounds
Oklahoma requires you to have certain, convincing grounds in order to receive a child support modification. They include:
- The child ages out of the child support system.
- The child requires a change in medical support due to illness or accident.
- You or your co-parent has a substantial job change that affects income.
However, note that a job change could be an increase or decrease in income. So if you or your paying co-parent is laid off the child support amount may decrease in accordance with income.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PARENTAL PREFERENCE IN CUSTODY? SEE OUR BLOG POST.
Application for Child Support Modification
While we recommend you hire a private attorney to help you go through a modification process, you can do it solo. If you choose to not use the services of an attorney, the following lays out the steps to take.
– First, you must fill out the correct court papers.
– Second, take the papers and file them with the court clerk’s office in the county the child resides.
– Third, either set a Pro Se Mediation or wait for a judge to set a hearing.
– Fourth, show up to the hearing and follow court orders regarding the modification.
The papers are available at the Oklahoma DHS site. This should also provide you with a mediation packet if you would prefer to go through Pro Se Mediation. You can find the forms on the Oklahoma DHS site. Further, you may also request a packet to apply for the Pro Se Mediation.
Family Law Help
While you can process the modification request on your own, we strongly advise you to get a lawyer. Our attorneys have years of experience in family law and child custody. Let us simplify the process for you. We understand the process well and can help you. Call us today.
