How to Modify Child Support in Arkansas
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arkansas · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Arkansas, a child support modification is a court order, or an Office of Child Support Enforcement adjustment, that changes an existing child support order after circumstances change, and the state uses a clear test: a change in either parent's gross income of 20 percent or more is a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition the court (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Arkansas support amounts follow the state Family Support Chart under the Supreme Court's Administrative Order No. 10, so a job loss, a raise, or a new income for either parent can make the current amount too high or too low, and an inconsistency between your current order and the chart amount is also a material change (Ark. Code 9-14-107). You can ask for a change in two ways. You can file a motion to modify with the circuit court that entered your order, or, if the Office of Child Support Enforcement handles your case, you can request a review, which you have a right to every three years or sooner when income changes 20 percent. A change takes effect from the date the other parent is served with the file-marked notice of your motion, and support that already came due cannot be set aside (Ark. Code 9-14-234). Keep paying your current order until it is changed. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Arkansas
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Arkansas?
File a motion to modify with the circuit court that entered your order, or ask the Office of Child Support Enforcement to review your case if it manages your support. You must show a material change of circumstances, such as a 20 percent change in a parent's gross income (Ark. Code 9-14-107).
How much does income have to change to modify child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas treats a change in either parent's gross income of 20 percent or more as a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition the court for modification (Ark. Code 9-14-107). An inconsistency between your current order and the amount the state Family Support Chart now produces also qualifies as a material change.
How far back can a child support change go in Arkansas?
A modification takes effect from the date the other parent is served with the file-marked notice of your motion, not from when your circumstances changed (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Support that already came due before the motion cannot be set aside, altered, or modified, so filing promptly protects you (Ark. Code 9-14-234).
Which court handles child support modifications in Arkansas?
The circuit court that entered your existing order handles modifications, through its domestic relations docket, since Arkansas has no separate family court. If the Office of Child Support Enforcement manages your case, you can also ask it to review and adjust the order, and it can take the matter to court.
Arkansas child support modification at a glance
In Arkansas, a child support modification is a court order, or an Office of Child Support Enforcement adjustment, that changes an existing support order after circumstances change. The state uses a quantified test: a change in either parent's gross income of 20 percent or more is a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition the court (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Amounts follow the Family Support Chart under Administrative Order No. 10, so income shifts or a new parenting arrangement can justify a new figure. You file a motion to modify with the circuit court that entered your order, or ask the Office of Child Support Enforcement for a review, available every three years or sooner with a 20 percent income change. A change takes effect from the date the other parent is served, and support already due cannot be set aside (Ark. Code 9-14-234).
Lowering an Arkansas order after a pay cut
Suppose your Arkansas order was set two years ago and your hours were just cut, dropping your gross income by more than 20 percent, which is a material change of circumstances under Ark. Code 9-14-107. You gather pay stubs showing the drop and file a motion to modify with the circuit court that entered your order, since Arkansas has no statewide modification form. You serve the other parent with the file-marked notice, because the change takes effect from that service date, not from your pay cut (Ark. Code 9-14-107). You keep paying the current amount, since support already due cannot be set aside (Ark. Code 9-14-234). At the hearing the judge recalculates support under the Family Support Chart and signs a lower order. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Ark. Code 9-14-107 (change in income warranting modification)
Provides that a change in the gross income of the payor or payee parent of 20 percent or more is a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition for modification, and that a modification is effective as of the date of service on the other party of the file-marked notice of the motion.
Ark. Code 9-14-234 (arrearages, finality of judgment)
Provides that accrued child support becomes a final judgment and that a court may not set aside, alter, or modify any decree, judgment, or order for support that has accrued unpaid prior to the filing of the motion, so past-due support cannot be reduced retroactively.
Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement: Changing an Order
The Arkansas OCSE explains that you have a right to a review of your order every three years, or sooner if there is a significant change in income of 20 percent or more, and that current support may go up, down, or stay the same after a review.
Arkansas Child Support Guidelines (Administrative Order No. 10)
The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts publishes the Family Support Chart and calculator used to set and recalculate support under the child support guidelines, based on both parents' gross income.
Regional Variances
Arkansas child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
A change in either parent's gross income of 20 percent or more is a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition for modification (Ark. Code 9-14-107). An inconsistency between your current order and the Family Support Chart amount also qualifies.
Where to file
The circuit court that entered your existing order, through its domestic relations docket, since Arkansas has no separate family court. The Office of Child Support Enforcement can also review and adjust the order if it manages your case.
Modification form
Arkansas has no single statewide modification form. You file a written motion or petition to modify with the circuit court, describing the material change of circumstances and the new guideline calculation.
Retroactivity
A modification takes effect from the date the other parent is served with the file-marked notice of the motion (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Support that already accrued before the motion cannot be set aside, altered, or modified (Ark. Code 9-14-234).
Periodic review
If the Office of Child Support Enforcement handles your case, you have a right to a review about every three years without showing a change, and sooner when income changes 20 percent, under federal rules.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Gather proof of your changed circumstances
Before you file days after startingCollect current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new parenting arrangement), and check whether a parent's gross income has moved 20 percent or more (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Estimate the new guideline amount
Before you file days after startingRun both parents' gross income through the Arkansas Family Support Chart calculator under Administrative Order No. 10 to see the new figure. An inconsistency between your current order and the chart amount is itself a material change (Ark. Code 9-14-107).
Draft your motion to modify
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingPrepare a written motion or petition to modify, since Arkansas has no single statewide form, and describe the material change of circumstances. State the current order, the new guideline calculation, and the relief you seek.
File with the circuit court
Promptly (the change dates from service) days after startingFile your motion with the circuit court clerk in the county that entered your order, and pay the filing fee or ask the court to waive it. Because the change takes effect from service, file and serve without delay (Ark. Code 9-14-107).
Serve the other parent and file proof
Right after filing days after startingServe the other parent with the file-marked notice of your motion, because the modification takes effect from that service date (Ark. Code 9-14-107). File the proof of service with the court so the judge can rule at the hearing.
Attend the hearing and get the new order
On your hearing date days after startingGo to the hearing with your income proof, let the judge recalculate support under the Family Support Chart, and get the signed order effective from your service date. Keep paying the current order until then, since accrued support cannot be set aside (Ark. Code 9-14-234).
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gather proof of your changed circumstances | Collect current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new parenting arrangement), and check whether a parent's gross income has moved 20 percent or more (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Estimate the new guideline amount | Run both parents' gross income through the Arkansas Family Support Chart calculator under Administrative Order No. 10 to see the new figure. An inconsistency between your current order and the chart amount is itself a material change (Ark. Code 9-14-107). | - | Before you file |
| Draft your motion to modify | Prepare a written motion or petition to modify, since Arkansas has no single statewide form, and describe the material change of circumstances. State the current order, the new guideline calculation, and the relief you seek. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the circuit court | File your motion with the circuit court clerk in the county that entered your order, and pay the filing fee or ask the court to waive it. Because the change takes effect from service, file and serve without delay (Ark. Code 9-14-107). | - | Promptly (the change dates from service) |
| Serve the other parent and file proof | Serve the other parent with the file-marked notice of your motion, because the modification takes effect from that service date (Ark. Code 9-14-107). File the proof of service with the court so the judge can rule at the hearing. | - | Right after filing |
| Attend the hearing and get the new order | Go to the hearing with your income proof, let the judge recalculate support under the Family Support Chart, and get the signed order effective from your service date. Keep paying the current order until then, since accrued support cannot be set aside (Ark. Code 9-14-234). | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop of 20 percent or more can support a modification, but you must file a motion; support keeps accruing at the current rate until the court acts (Ark. Code 9-14-234). A judge may weigh whether you are earning what you reasonably could. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a motion to modify on their own, and the other parent is served and can respond. If both parents agree on a new amount, they can submit it for a judge to approve. The judge still checks it against the Arkansas Family Support Chart.
After you file your motion in circuit court, the court sets a hearing, often several weeks to a few months out depending on the county. An agreed change or an Office of Child Support Enforcement review can be faster. Because the change dates from service, filing and serving promptly protects you.
Yes. If OCSE manages your case, you can ask it to review your order. You have a right to a review every three years, or sooner when a parent's income changes 20 percent, and OCSE can take the matter to court to adjust the amount (Ark. Code 9-14-107).
You can file whenever a material change of circumstances occurs, such as a 20 percent income change (Ark. Code 9-14-107). If the Office of Child Support Enforcement handles your case, you can also request a review about every three years without showing a change, under federal rules.
A modification changes support only from the date the other parent is served forward (Ark. Code 9-14-107). Support that already came due, called arrears, cannot be set aside, altered, or modified, and it stays collectible (Ark. Code 9-14-234). Keep paying your current order while your motion is pending.
Filing a motion to modify in circuit court carries the standard court filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it if you cannot afford it. Requesting a review through the Office of Child Support Enforcement does not charge you a fee for the review itself.
Arkansas has no single statewide modification form. You file a written motion or petition to modify with the circuit court that entered your order, describing the material change of circumstances. Support amounts are then calculated under the Family Support Chart in Administrative Order No. 10, using both parents' gross income.
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