Illinois child support orders are not set in stone. According to the Department of Health and Family Services, substantial changes in circumstances can because for a child support modification request. In addition, every case can be modified every three years. Support may be increased, reduced or, in some cases, ended. First, a case must be reviewed, which involves checking into financial information and other related facts, such as employment.
According to Illinois Legal Aid, changes in a child support order can only be made by going to court. It takes a judge to rule on any changes for them to be enforced. In addition, if it is not time within the three-year window for a modification, there must be substantial changes in order to get the case before a court. Changes that would fall under this definition include the loss of a job, paternity being called into question, an increase or decrease in income and changes in the needs of the child.
Another change that could signal a modification is needed is a child turning 18. Once a child reaches 18, the non-custodial parent is not responsible for paying child support for that child unless he or she is still in high school. If that is the case, then the child support would stop upon the child’s graduation. A parent of an 18-year-old who is no longer in school may request a reduction in support if there are other children or an end to support payments if this is the only child.
