How to Modify Child Support in Florida
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Florida · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Florida, a child support modification is a court or agency changing the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances change, and to win a court change you generally must show the current order and the current guideline amount differ by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). Florida sets support with a statewide guideline tied to both parents' net incomes and the time each spends with the child (Fla. Stat. 61.30), so a job loss, a raise, or a new time-sharing schedule can push the current amount too high or too low. You can pursue a change two ways. You can file a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b)) in the circuit court that issued your order, or, if the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, you can ask it to review the order. The Department seeks a change when the guideline amount differs by at least 10 percent but not less than 25 dollars, and that path needs no separate proof of changed circumstances (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(c)). A change dates back only to the date you file, so support that already came due generally cannot be reduced (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). Keep paying your current order until the court changes it. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Florida
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Florida?
File a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b)) in the circuit court that issued your order, or ask the Florida Department of Revenue to review your case. For a court change, the current order and guideline amount must differ by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)).
How much must child support change to qualify in Florida?
For a court change, the difference between your current order and the guideline amount must be at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). If the Florida Department of Revenue reviews your case, it seeks a change at a 10 percent difference, but not less than 25 dollars.
How far back can a child support change go in Florida?
A modification dates back only to the date you file your action for modification, not to when your circumstances changed (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). Support that already came due generally cannot be reduced, so filing promptly protects you. Keep paying your current order until a judge changes it.
Which court handles child support modifications in Florida?
The circuit court in the county where your existing order was entered handles modifications, through its family law division (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). If the Florida Department of Revenue manages your case, you can also ask it to review and adjust the order. Both paths apply the state child support guideline.
Florida child support modification at a glance
In Florida, a child support modification is a court or agency changing the amount of an existing support order after circumstances change. For a court change, the current order and the current guideline figure must differ by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). Support is set by a statewide guideline tied to both parents' incomes and time-sharing (Fla. Stat. 61.30), so a job loss, a raise, or a new schedule can justify a new amount. You file a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b)) in circuit court, or ask the Florida Department of Revenue to review your case. A change applies back only to the date you file, so support that already came due generally cannot be reduced (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)).
Lowering a Florida order after a pay cut
Suppose your Florida order was set two years ago and your hours were just cut, and the guideline amount now differs from your order by more than 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). You complete a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b)) with a Family Law Financial Affidavit showing your lower pay, and file it in the circuit court that issued your order. You have the other parent served and wait for a hearing. Because a change applies back only to your filing date (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)), you file right away and keep paying the current amount until the judge rules. At the hearing the judge recalculates support under the guideline and signs a lower order effective from your filing date. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Fla. Stat. 61.30 (child support guideline and modification threshold)
Sets Florida's statewide child support guideline based on both parents' net incomes and time-sharing, and provides that a court may find a substantial change only when the current order and the guideline amount differ by at least 15 percent or $50, whichever is greater, with a separate 10 percent (not less than $25) trigger for Department of Revenue reviews.
Fla. Stat. 61.14 (modification and effective date of support)
Provides that either party may apply to the circuit court to increase or decrease support, and that a modification may be made retroactive to the date of filing the action or supplemental action for modification, so a change cannot reach support that came due earlier.
Fla. Stat. 409.2564 (Department of Revenue review of support orders)
Requires the Florida Department of Revenue to review child support orders in Title IV-D cases at least once every three years when requested by either party, and to notify parties of their right to request a review and modification.
Florida Courts: Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b))
The Florida Courts family law forms page provides the Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support (Form 12.905(b)) and its instructions, the statewide form used to ask a circuit court to change an existing child support order.
Regional Variances
Florida child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
For a court change, the current order and the guideline amount must differ by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). A Department of Revenue review uses a separate 10 percent trigger, but not less than 25 dollars (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(c)).
Where to file
The circuit court in the county where your existing order was entered, through its family law division. If the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, you can ask it to review and adjust the order without a full court hearing.
Modification form
Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.905(b), the Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support, filed with a Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)). Forms are free through the Florida Courts website.
Retroactivity
A modification may be made retroactive only to the date of filing the action or supplemental action for modification, not to when circumstances changed (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). Support that already came due generally cannot be reduced.
Periodic review
If the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, you can generally request a review at least once every three years without showing a change (Fla. Stat. 409.2564(11)), and sooner when a substantial change occurs.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm you clear Florida's modification threshold
Before you file days after startingGather current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new time-sharing schedule), and compare your order with the current guideline to confirm at least a 15 percent or 50 dollar difference (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Complete the Supplemental Petition (Form 12.905(b))
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingFill out Form 12.905(b), the Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support, describe the changed circumstances, and attach a Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)). Use the free Florida Courts forms and instructions.
File with the circuit court
Promptly (the change dates back to filing) days after startingFile your petition and financial affidavit with the clerk of the circuit court that issued your order, and pay the fee or ask for a fee waiver. Because a change applies back only to your filing date, file promptly (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)).
Serve the other parent
After filing, before the hearing days after startingHave the other parent served through the sheriff or a certified process server, then file the return of service. Proper service is required before the court can change the order at a hearing.
Consider a Department of Revenue review
Anytime your case is with the agency days after startingIf the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, ask it to review your order. The Department seeks a change when the guideline amount differs by at least 10 percent but not less than 25 dollars (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(c)).
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 guideline, and get the signed order effective back to your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)).
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm you clear Florida's modification threshold | Gather current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new time-sharing schedule), and compare your order with the current guideline to confirm at least a 15 percent or 50 dollar difference (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b)). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Supplemental Petition (Form 12.905(b)) | Fill out Form 12.905(b), the Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support, describe the changed circumstances, and attach a Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)). Use the free Florida Courts forms and instructions. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the circuit court | File your petition and financial affidavit with the clerk of the circuit court that issued your order, and pay the fee or ask for a fee waiver. Because a change applies back only to your filing date, file promptly (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). | - | Promptly (the change dates back to filing) |
| Serve the other parent | Have the other parent served through the sheriff or a certified process server, then file the return of service. Proper service is required before the court can change the order at a hearing. | - | After filing, before the hearing |
| Consider a Department of Revenue review | If the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, ask it to review your order. The Department seeks a change when the guideline amount differs by at least 10 percent but not less than 25 dollars (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(c)). | - | Anytime your case is with the agency |
| Attend the hearing and get the new order | Go to the hearing with your income proof, let the judge recalculate support under the guideline, and get the signed order effective back to your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop can support a modification, but you must file a supplemental petition to change the amount; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court acts (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). A judge may consider whether you are earning what you reasonably could. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a supplemental petition on their own, and the other parent is served and can respond. If both parents agree on a new amount, they can submit a written agreement for a judge to approve. The judge still checks it against the state guideline (Fla. Stat. 61.30).
After you file Form 12.905(b), the court sets the case for hearing, often several weeks to a few months out depending on the county and whether the other parent contests it. A Department of Revenue review can be faster. Because the change dates back only to filing, filing promptly protects you (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)).
Yes. If the Department of Revenue handles your case, you can ask it to review your order. It seeks a modification when the guideline amount differs by at least 10 percent but not less than 25 dollars, with no separate proof of changed circumstances, and can take the matter to court (Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(c)).
You can seek a change whenever a substantial change in circumstances occurs. If the Florida Department of Revenue handles your case, you can generally request a review at least once every three years even without a change, under state and federal rules (Fla. Stat. 409.2564(11)). There is no limit when circumstances genuinely change.
A modification changes support only from your filing date forward (Fla. Stat. 61.14(1)(a)). Support that already came due, called arrears, generally cannot be reduced or erased by a modification. Keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your petition is pending, since the old amount stays due until a judge rules.
Filing a supplemental petition in circuit court carries a standard filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it if you cannot afford it, based on your income. A review through the Florida Department of Revenue does not charge you a fee, so the agency path can be a lower-cost option.
You file Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.905(b), the Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support, and attach a Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)) with proof of income. The Florida Courts website provides these forms and instructions at no charge.
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