Child Support Enforcement Process:
Modification of Child Support Orders

NOTE: You must be a client of our agency to apply for modification. If you are not, you must complete the application for Child Support Enforcement services.

Both the noncustodial parent and custodial parent have the right to request a review of the support order for possible upward or downward modification. If determined appropriate, Child Support Enforcement (CSE) can initiate action to increase or decrease the support order based on Florida Child Support Guidelines.

A Florida court order for child support may be modified if it has been at least 3 years since the existing support amount was ordered or since the case was last reviewed for a modification. To petition the court for modification when the previous order was entered three or more years ago, the difference between the current support amount and the proposed amount, using current information and statutory guidelines, must be at least 10% or $25 per month (whichever amount is greater).

If it has been less than 3 years since the last review, a Florida support order may still be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances. To petition the court for modification when the previous order was entered less than three years ago, the difference between the current support amount and the proposed amount, using current information and statutory guidelines, must be at least 15% or $50 per month (whichever amount is greater).

For interstate cases, modification will require coordination with another state's child support agency. If the order was not issued in Florida and CSE requests another state to review the order for possible modification, the modification will be based upon that state's laws and policies.

If you wish to apply for modification of an existing support order, you can call 1-800-622-KIDS (5437) or write/stop by your local child support office for an application or fill out the online modification request, print it and mail it to your local child support office.

Please look at our Frequently Asked Questions page that provides more information about the modification process.