How to Modify Child Support in Alaska
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Alaska · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Alaska, a child support modification is a court or agency order changing the amount of an existing child support order after a material change of circumstances, and the state gives that change a clear benchmark: a material change is presumed when support recalculated under the guideline is more than 15 percent greater or less than your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). Child support in Alaska is set by a guideline tied to the parents' income and custody arrangement (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3), so a job loss, an income change, or a shift from primary to shared custody can push the current amount past that 15 percent line. You can ask for a change in two ways. If a judge set your order, you file a Motion to Modify in the superior court that handles your case; if the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) set an administrative order, you can ask CSSD to review it. A change applies going forward, not to support that already came due, because child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)), so filing promptly protects you. For IV-D cases you can also request a review about every three years. Keep paying your current order until it is changed. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Alaska
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Alaska?
If a judge set your order, file a Motion to Modify in the superior court that handles your case; if the Child Support Services Division set your order, ask that agency to review it. Alaska presumes a material change when the recalculated guideline amount is more than 15 percent off your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)).
How much does the amount have to change to modify child support in Alaska?
Alaska presumes a material change of circumstances when child support recalculated under the guideline is more than 15 percent greater or less than your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). You can still seek a change below 15 percent, but you must prove a material change without that presumption.
How far back can a child support change go in Alaska?
A modification applies going forward, not to support that already came due. Under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2), child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively, so a change cannot erase past-due support. Filing your motion promptly, and continuing to pay the current order, protects you from building arrears.
Which court or agency handles child support modifications in Alaska?
The superior court that issued your order handles court-ordered modifications through a Motion to Modify. If the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) set an administrative order, that agency can review and adjust it. Both use the Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 guideline, and CSSD can take a matter to court when needed.
Alaska child support modification at a glance
In Alaska, a child support modification is a court or agency order that changes an existing child support order after a material change of circumstances. Alaska gives that standard a number: a material change is presumed when support recalculated under the guideline is more than 15 percent greater or less than your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). If a judge set your order, you file a Motion to Modify in the superior court; if the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) set an administrative order, you can ask CSSD for a review. A change applies going forward only, because child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)), so past-due support cannot be reduced. Filing costs 75 dollars in court, and uncontested motions are free.
Lowering an Alaska order after a pay cut
Suppose an Alaska order was set two years ago and your hours were just cut, and a fresh guideline calculation now comes out more than 15 percent below the current amount, which Alaska presumes is a material change (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). Because a judge issued your order, you complete the Motion to Modify packet with a DR-305 Child Support Guidelines Affidavit showing your lower income, file it in the superior court for 75 dollars, and serve the other parent. You keep paying the current order, since arrearage cannot be modified retroactively (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)) and a change applies only going forward. The court recalculates support under the guideline and signs a lower order. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h) (modification of child support)
Provides that a final child support award may be modified on a material change of circumstances, presumed when support recalculated under the rule is more than 15 percent greater or less than the outstanding order, and that child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively.
AS 25.27.190 (modification of administrative finding or decision)
Authorizes the Child Support Services Division to modify its own administrative child support finding or decision on a showing of good cause and a material change in circumstances, the statutory basis for the CSSD administrative review path.
AS 25.27.193 (periodic review or adjustment of support orders)
Directs the Child Support Services Division to periodically review and adjust support orders in IV-D cases, and lets a parent request a review, the statutory basis for the roughly three-year periodic review option.
Alaska Court System self-help: modify child support
The Alaska Court System self-help center explains how to file a Motion to Modify child support, which packets and forms to use (DR-700, SHC-PAC12, SHC-PAC11, and the DR-305 affidavit), the 75 dollar filing fee, and the 15 percent material change standard.
Regional Variances
Alaska child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
A material change of circumstances is presumed when support recalculated under the guideline is more than 15 percent greater or less than your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). A smaller change can still qualify if you prove it is material.
Where to file
The superior court that issued your order handles court-ordered modifications by Motion to Modify. If the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) set an administrative order, you can ask CSSD to review and adjust it instead.
Modification form
The Motion to Modify packet (DR-700, or SHC-PAC12 when custody is involved), with the DR-305 Child Support Guidelines Affidavit. Agreed changes use the uncontested packet SHC-PAC11. Forms are free on the Alaska Court System self-help website.
Retroactivity
A change applies going forward only. Child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)), so past-due support cannot be reduced or erased, which is why filing promptly matters.
Periodic review
If the Child Support Services Division handles your IV-D case, you can generally request a review about every three years even without a change (AS 25.27.193), and sooner when a material change occurs.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Estimate your new guideline amount
Before you file days after startingRecalculate support under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 using current income and custody, and compare it to your order to check for the 15 percent presumed material change. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Confirm whether a court or CSSD set your order
Before you file days after startingCheck whether a superior court judge or the Child Support Services Division issued your current order. A judge's order is changed by a Motion to Modify in that court; a CSSD administrative order can be reviewed by CSSD.
Complete the Motion to Modify packet and DR-305
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingFill out the Motion to Modify packet (DR-700 or SHC-PAC12) and the DR-305 Child Support Guidelines Affidavit, attaching proof of current income. Use the free forms and instructions on the Alaska Court System self-help website.
File your motion and pay the fee
Promptly (arrears cannot be reduced later) days after startingFile the Motion to Modify with the superior court clerk and pay the 75 dollar fee, or file the uncontested packet (SHC-PAC11) free if both parents agree. Because a change applies only going forward, file promptly (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)).
Serve the other parent
After filing, per the court rules days after startingServe the other parent with your filed motion and the DR-305 affidavit as the court rules require, then file proof of service. The other parent can respond and file their own guidelines affidavit before the court decides.
Attend the hearing and get the new order
On your scheduled date days after startingPresent your income proof and let the court or CSSD recalculate support under the guideline, then obtain the signed order, which applies going forward. Keep paying your current order until the new order takes effect.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate your new guideline amount | Recalculate support under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 using current income and custody, and compare it to your order to check for the 15 percent presumed material change. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Confirm whether a court or CSSD set your order | Check whether a superior court judge or the Child Support Services Division issued your current order. A judge's order is changed by a Motion to Modify in that court; a CSSD administrative order can be reviewed by CSSD. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Motion to Modify packet and DR-305 | Fill out the Motion to Modify packet (DR-700 or SHC-PAC12) and the DR-305 Child Support Guidelines Affidavit, attaching proof of current income. Use the free forms and instructions on the Alaska Court System self-help website. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File your motion and pay the fee | File the Motion to Modify with the superior court clerk and pay the 75 dollar fee, or file the uncontested packet (SHC-PAC11) free if both parents agree. Because a change applies only going forward, file promptly (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2)). | - | Promptly (arrears cannot be reduced later) |
| Serve the other parent | Serve the other parent with your filed motion and the DR-305 affidavit as the court rules require, then file proof of service. The other parent can respond and file their own guidelines affidavit before the court decides. | - | After filing, per the court rules |
| Attend the hearing and get the new order | Present your income proof and let the court or CSSD recalculate support under the guideline, then obtain the signed order, which applies going forward. Keep paying your current order until the new order takes effect. | - | On your scheduled date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop can qualify, especially if a new guideline calculation comes out more than 15 percent below your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)). You must file a Motion to Modify or ask CSSD to act; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the order changes. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a Motion to Modify alone, and the other parent is served and can respond. If both parents agree, Alaska lets you file an uncontested motion to modify support at no filing cost. A judge still checks the amount against the Rule 90.3 guideline.
It costs 75 dollars to file a contested Motion to Modify Child Custody, Visitation or Support in the Alaska superior court. It is free to file an uncontested motion when both parents agree on the change. A review through the Child Support Services Division does not charge you a filing fee.
Yes. If CSSD set your administrative order, you can ask it to review and adjust the amount, and it can take the matter to court when needed. CSSD generally acts on the same standard the courts use, a recalculated guideline amount more than 15 percent off your current order (Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(1)).
You can seek a modification whenever a material change of circumstances occurs. If the Child Support Services Division handles your IV-D case, you can generally request a periodic review about every three years even without a change, under AS 25.27.193 and federal rules. There is no limit when circumstances genuinely change.
A modification changes support only from the point your case moves forward, not backward. Under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3(h)(2), child support arrearage may not be modified retroactively, so past-due support, called arrears, cannot be reduced or erased. Keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your motion is pending.
For a court change, use the Alaska Court System Motion to Modify packet (DR-700, or SHC-PAC12 when custody is involved), and attach the DR-305 Child Support Guidelines Affidavit. Agreed changes use the uncontested packet (SHC-PAC11). The Alaska Court System self-help website provides these forms and instructions at no charge.
After you file a Motion to Modify, the superior court sets a schedule that can run several weeks to a few months, depending on the court and whether the motion is contested. An uncontested motion or a CSSD review can be faster. Filing promptly matters because arrears cannot be reduced later.
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