File to change your child support if only one person wants the change

Next steps

1. File paperwork for the court

   Required at initial filing:
    

   • Complaint for modification form
     • File the complaint in the county where the judgment was issued.
   • If children are listed: Child Care or Custody Disclosure Affidavit. In cases involving a child, use this form to tell the court about any other open or closed cases involving the child.  You must file the Affidavit in cases involving the care, custody, visitation, or change of name of a child.  See Trial Court Rule IV for more details. 
     • Supplemental Child Care or Custody Disclosure Affidavit. In cases involving more than 4 children, use this form along with the Child Care or Custody Affidavit for additional space to tell the court about any other open or closed cases.  See Trial Court Rule IV for more details.  
   • If plaintiff has an attorney: Uniform Counsel Certification Form (CCF)
     • Instructions on Uniform Counsel Certification Form

   Additional filings:
    

   These forms are not required at initial filing. These forms may need to be filed before the court can give you a hearing date or have your case heard by a judge. The division where you file can help answer questions on when these forms should be filed.

   • If the modification you’re requesting involves financial payments, parties must file financial statements. Please see this financial statements page for additional information, including the financial statement long and short forms and instructions.
     • See Uniform Probate Court Practice XXX and Supplemental Probate Court Rule 401 for more information.
   • If child support is being addressed (or waived):
     • Child support guidelines worksheet (CJD-304)
     • Findings and Determinations for Child Support and Post-Secondary Education (CJD 305) if you don’t think the child support guidelines should apply to your case.

2. Serve your papers on the other parent

   When you file the complaint, the court staff will give you a completed summons form. You must make sure that this form is delivered to the other party. If you think that the other party won’t object to the modification, you can have them sign the summons in the presence of a notary public and then return it to the court. Otherwise, see Service of Process (the way you deliver court papers to the person required to respond to them) to learn how to serve papers on the other parent. Keep a copy of the complaint and summons for yourself.

   Once the constable or sheriff has completed service to the other person, they will either send the summons completed on the back with the date of service directly back to the court or to you. If they send it to you, make sure that you file the completed summons with the court as soon as possible.

   The defendant has 20 days to file an answer to the Complaint for Modification with the court. An answer is a written response to what the plaintiff has said in the Complaint for Modification. See respond to a case filed against you for more information.

3. Request a court date

   After that, you should file a request for assignment of a court date if the staff has not already assigned one.

   • If the defendant doesn't file an answer — You should ask court staff about scheduling a date for an uncontested trial or pre-trial conference.

   • If the defendant does file an answer — Ask court staff to schedule a pre-trial conference and explain the issues involved in the modification.