What is the process for modifying my child support payments in California after I have lost my job or had a significant income change?

To modify your California child support order after a significant income change, you must file a formal request with the court. The court can only change the support amount retroactive to the date you file your request, not the date your income changed, so you must act quickly. Here is the general process: Step 1: Gather Your Financial Documents Collect proof of your income change. This includes your termination letter, your final pay stubs, proof of your application for or receipt of unemployment benefits, and a completed Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150). You should also keep a detailed log of your job search efforts. Step 2: Complete and File a Request for Order You must formally ask the court to change the order. If you and the other parent agree on a new amount, you can file a Stipulation to Establish or Modify a Child Support Order (Form FL-350). If you do not agree, you must file a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the court clerk in the county that issued your original support order. You can find these forms on the California Courts self-help website. Step 3: Serve the Other Parent A person over 18 who is not a party to the case must formally deliver copies of the filed paperwork to the other parent. After delivery, the server must complete and sign a Proof of Service form, which you then file with the court. This step is critical and has strict legal rules. Step 4: Attend the Court Hearing You will be given a court date where a judge will review your request. Bring copies of all your documents and be prepared to explain your change in circumstances and your efforts to find new employment. The court will calculate a new support amount based on state guidelines and issue a new order. Important considerations: You must continue to pay the current child support amount until the court officially changes it. Failure to pay will result in arrears (past-due support) that you will still owe. If the court believes you are intentionally unemployed or underemployed, it may "impute" income to you—basing the support calculation on what you are capable of earning, not what you are actually earning. The court may also order a vocational evaluation to assess your earning capacity. Warnings and limitations: A verbal agreement with the other parent to change support is not legally enforceable. Only a signed court order can modify your legal obligation. If a local child support agency is involved in your case, you should also notify them of your income change. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, such as those involving imputed income or a non-cooperative co-parent, you should consult with a qualified California family law attorney.