How to Change a Child Support Order

Step 1: Make sure you can ask for a change

You can ask the court to change child support if you can show there is a “substantial and continuing” change of circumstances, such as:

• Your income has changed
• The other parent’s income has changed
• Health insurance costs have changed or you have new health insurance costs that weren’t a part of the original order
• Childcare costs have changed
• The parenting time schedule changed
• Your child is now emancipated (usually this happens when they turn 19)

10% Rule: the changed circumstance has to cause at least a 10% change to the current child support amount.

• For example, if child support is $1,000 a month, the changed circumstance must change the child support amount by at least $100 per month.

Step 2: Check if there’s already a case open

If your child support was previously handled through Child Support Services (CSS), contact them first. They may be able to help you ask for a change. Find your local CSS office on their website.

If not, continue with filing on your own.

Step 3: Fill out the right forms

• JDF 1403: Motion to Modify Child Support
• JDF 1405: Proposed Order for Motion to Modify Child Support
• JDF 1111: Sworn Financial Statement 
  • Get helpful tips for filling out the financial disclosure form required in Colorado divorce and custody cases: JDF 1111: Example Sworn Financial Statement.
• Child Support Worksheet A or B (based on parenting time)
• JDF 1117: Support Order – if the court approves your request
• JDF 1113: Parenting Plan – if the schedule has changed
   

Because you will have to prove why the child support amount should change, you should attach to your petition:

• Pay stubs (last 3 months) 
• Recent tax returns (last 1–2 years)
• Updated information about health insurance or childcare

Step 4: File the forms with the right court

• File in the same court where your child support order was issued
• You can file in person or online through the court’s e-filing system
• Pay the filing fee, or ask for a fee waiver with JDF 205

Step 5: Serve the other parent

• You must give the other parent official notice of your request 
  • By electronic service through the court’s e-filing system, if the other parent has also signed up for the e-filing system  
  • Or by U.S. mail to their mailing address on file with the court 
• Complete the Certificate of Service on your motion stating how you sent a copy to the other parent 

Step 6: Attend mediation (if ordered)

• The judge may order you and the other parent to mediate before a hearing 
• Mediation is a meeting where both sides try to reach an agreement on the issues without going to trial 
• The mediator is a neutral third-party. They are there to help guide the conversation and talk through the disagreements to try to help you reach an agreement. But they do not take sides and cannot make decisions for you.  
• If there is a history of abuse or control, you can ask the judge to excuse you from mediation. The judge may allow you to skip mediation. Or the judge could order  protections like separate rooms or virtual meetings.  
• What you talk about in mediation cannot be used against you in court, or even talked about at all. So you do not have to worry about an offer you make in mediation hurting you in a hearing.

Step 7: Go to the hearing

The judge may set a hearing if the other parent disagrees. Be prepared to:

• Show documents proving the change in circumstances
• Explain how your financial situation or your child’s needs have changed