Child support agreements are not set in stone. In other words, either the paying parent or the receiving parent can ask to modify the agreement.
In most cases, child support modifications stem from significant changes in either parent’s income. If the paying parent starts to earn more money, the receiving parent may be able to request a child support increase.
However, can the opposite be true as well? That is, if the receiving parent earns more, can the paying parent request a decrease in child support?
If you are the receiving parent in this situation, you might be worried about losing financial support for your children. Here are several answers that might provide some clarity.
What happens to child support when you make more money?
The court considers both parents’ income when calculating child support. That said, any significant change in either parent’s income may be enough grounds to modify the child support order.
Suppose you earn more money because of a higher-paying job or a new business. In that case, your coparent can ask the court to decrease their support payment. It may be reasonable for them to assume that you do not need as much support.
However, a decrease does not happen automatically. The paying parent needs a court order to make the change, and they will need to justify paying less child support. Still, the court will make a decision based on your child’s best interests.
Can you fight a modification to decrease child support?
What if decreasing child support will negatively affect your kids? Earning more money does not always mean you are prosperous. For example, you may have gotten a higher-paying job because you and your children need a bigger place to live.
In such cases, you can show the judge that modifying the child support amount will go against your child’s best interests. Demonstrate that if the amount decreases, there will ultimately be less money for your children because your extra income is going to other needs.
Whatever the case may be, rest assured that courts don’t grant requests without enough justification. If you are facing this issue, consider consulting a family law attorney who understands this process and can help you make the right decision.