Child Support Modifications

Child support is the financial obligation you have to support your child as he or she grows up.  If your child or children do not live with you, the courts require that you pay child support to the custodial parent based on the current Arkansas Child Support Guidelines and then existing the financial information and family situation.

When a parent's ability to pay child support has changed, a child's financial needs have changed, if the gross income of the parent paying child support increases by 20% or $100 per month or other significant changes in circumstances have occurred, child support may be modified.  Even if both parents agree on changes to child support payments, a court order is required to have the amount legally changed.  While parents can petition the court for child support modification themselves, however, we recommend that you use the services of an attorney to address this complex and significant issue.

Child Support Enforcement Actions

Unfortunately many divorced parents find it necessary to initiate enforcement proceedings related to court-ordered child support payments.  Since the purpose of child support is to ensure that both parents share the cost of raising children, it is unfair to the children and you when child support payments are late, not the ordered amount or not being paid at all.