Can child support be modified?

Yes. Child support can be revised when the statutory requirements for modification are met. A court generally examines whether there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the existing support order was entered or last modified.

Changes that may be relevant include a significant change in either parent’s income, a substantial change in the placement schedule, changes in the child’s needs, changes in health-insurance costs, or other circumstances affecting the support calculation. Wisconsin law also contains statutory presumptions concerning substantial change in some situations, including the passage of time combined with a difference between the existing order and the amount produced by the current percentage standard.

A parent should not simply begin paying a self-calculated new amount because circumstances changed. Until a court modifies the order, the existing order remains enforceable. Support modification is also subject to restrictions on retroactive revision, making prompt filing important when a change has occurred.

The court may apply the current child-support standards unless a deviation is justified under the statutory factors.

Primary Wisconsin authorities: Wis. Stat. § 767.59; Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 150.