I am paying my ex $220 a month for child support. This is because she was paying for the afterschool care for the two boys we have equal custody of. The boys have aged out of childcare now. Can I reduce the money I pay to her by my half of the child support? What are my options?
No, you cannot unilaterally reduce the amount of money you are paying the mother for child support each month unless your child support terms specifically state so.
Assuming your child support terms are in a child support order, you would need to have the order modified before you can change the amount you pay. A child support order can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances affecting the wellbeing of the child. NC Child Support Guidelines presume there to be a substantial change in circumstances when three years have passed since the entry of the current order and there is a 15% or more difference between the amount of child support currently being paid and the amount it would be if a new order were in place.
Anna Ayscue
Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest
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