Modification of child support...

[SPeak]

I currently owe over $7,000 in back child support that began in 2007. I have not been consistently employed since the order was put into place. Is there any form in addition to the Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support, that I can use to lower the total cost of the past due support I owe for the time I was unemployed, and/or incarcerated? Please advise. Thank you!

[Attorney Cheri Hobbs]

Unfortunately it is unlikely that the Department of Revenue or the Family Court will lower your arrears amount. It is your responsibility to file a Supp. Petition to Modify at the point of necessity for lowering or abating child support. The court will usually only go back to the date of filing the petition. IF the other party will come to an agreement with you about the amount of arrears you can enter into a Joint Stipulation as to Arrears. DON'T WAIT to file for a modification.

You can also go onto the Department of Revenue's website and request a "review" of the child support amount going forward.