When you have an existing child support order in place in Oregon, a time may come when you or your child’s other parent wishes to change it. Certain things have to hold true for you to be able to modify your Oregon child support order. You also have to follow a specific process if you wish to make such a request.
Per the Oregon Department of Justice, the child support modification process typically takes between about 90 and 120 days to complete.
Steps involved in modifying child support
The first step involved in modifying child support is requesting such a change from the Oregon Child Support Program. Then, program administrators review the request and notify the other parent. The program then serves the proposed modification, and if either parent objects to it, that parent has the option of requesting a hearing. If neither parent takes action, the new order may take effect 34 days later. If one parent requests a hearing, this has to occur before any official changes to the order take place.
Significant changes that may warrant a change in child support
You or your ex may ask for a child support order modification if custody terms changed, or if one of you now has more children to support. If the child’s needs change, or if either or both parents had their incomes change, this may also warrant a child support order modification.
If you are unable to agree to child support terms and wind up having to attend a hearing, expect an administrative law judge presiding over the hearing to determine how much the paying parent must pay moving forward.