Can I change my support order?
Child support payments are an important financial responsibility that helps to support your children. When child support is not paid, children may not have the support they need to flourish and grow. However, if your circumstances change and you cannot make payments in the amount set in your order, contact the Family Support Division (FSD) to discuss your options.
How do I request a change?
Every 3 years, you may ask for the Family Support Division to review your child support order to see if you can change the amount you owe. If it has been less than 3 years since the order was started, reviewed, or modified, we will only review your order under special circumstances. If your order states the presumed child support amount is unjust or inappropriate, we will ask you to fill out a form explaining what has changed since the original order.
To request a change to your child support order, send your written request to the Family Support division by:
- Mail: Family Support Division, P.O. Box 6790, Jefferson City, MO 65102-6790
- Fax: 573–635–7545
After you request a change
First you must complete a Financial and Informational Statement. Based on your answers, we will decide whether to continue with your request or deny it. If we continue, we send a motion proposing a modification to the support order to all involved parties. If a party does not agree with the change, they have 30 days to submit a request for an administrative hearing.
If a hearing is requested, the Division of Legal Services will schedule an administrative hearing. At the hearing, both parties will have a chance to give statements and evidence. Under state law, the party seeking the change must prove why the change is necessary. After the hearing, the hearing officer will issue a decision and order deciding if the support order should be changed. If a party disagrees with the administrative decision and order, they have the right to file a request with the court asking the court to review the decision.
How is court approval granted?
The Family Support Division will submit the proposed modification to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office where it will be reviewed to see if it complies with the law. If the modification is appropriate, they will file a Motion to Review and Approve with the court. If the court does not approve the motion, it could be set for trial.