Massachusetts law about modifications of family law judgments and orders

Laws, regulations, cases, and web sources on changing divorce, child custody, child support and other family law judgments and orders.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Best bet

Family law advocacy for low and moderate income litigants, 3^rd ed., Mass. Legal Services, 2018.
Chapter 16 addresses modification proceedings. Online version includes checklists, sample agreements and forms and so much more. Despite the title, those in all income brackets will find it useful.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c.119A, § 13 Limits on retroactive modification

MGL c.208, § 28 Modification of Massachusetts judgments concerning care, custody and maintenance of children

MGL c. 208, § 28A Temporary orders concerning care, custody and maintenance of children when modification is pending

MGL c. 208, § 29 Modification of foreign judgments concerning care, custody and maintenance of children

MGL c. 208, § 37 Modification of Massachusetts and foreign alimony judgments

MGL c. 209D, §§ 6-601-6-612 Uniform Interstate Family Support Act - enforcement and modification of support order after registration

Court rules

Mass. R. Dom. Rel P. 60 Mistakes
Modification of orders and judgments that can be obtained by filing a motion (as opposed to filing a complaint for modification).

Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 412 Uncontested actions to modify a judgment or order

Selected cases

Selected court cases on the topic of modifications of family law judgments and orders

Forms

Forms and information on changing alimony

Forms and information on changing child custody or parenting time

Forms and information on changing child support

Required forms for changing a judgment or temporary order by agreement

Probate and Family Court forms for modifications
A collection of court forms related to child support, custody and alimony modifications.

Web sources

Changing a judgment or order by agreement, MassLegalHelp, November, 2019.
Includes forms and information needed to pursue a Joint Petition for Modification.

File changes to child support if both parties agree to the change, Mass. Trial Court.
Provides instructions and links to required forms to use when both parents agree.

File to change your child support if only one person wants the change, Mass. Trial Court. 
Provides instructions and links to required forms to use when only one parent wants the change.

How to make changes to your court order, Mass. Dept. of Revenue.
Provides instructions and links to required forms to use when you are a DOR customer. Site discusses how to modify and gives instructions on how to fill out the form, offers a sample, and provides the DOR copy of the Modification form.

Print sources

Family law and practice: with forms, 4^th ed. (Mass Practice vols.1-3), Thomson Reuters, 2013 with supplement.
Chapters 8, 50 and 90.

LexisNexis practice guide: Massachusetts family law, LexisNexis annual. (2025 eBook available with library card)
Chapter 7.36: Modifying child support orders and agreements.

Massachusetts divorce law practice manual, 4^th ed., MCLE, loose-leaf.
Chapter 20: Modification.

Massachusetts domestic relations, LexisNexis, 2012 with supplements. (eBook available with library card)
Chapter 20: Modifications.

Modification and contempt proceedings in divorce cases, MCLE, 2013.

Last updated:	March 11, 2025