How to Modify Child Support in Maryland
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maryland · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Maryland, a child support modification is a court or agency decision changing the amount of an existing child support order, and Maryland does not set a fixed percentage you must clear; instead you show a material change of circumstance since the last order (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)). Child support in Maryland follows a statewide guideline tied to each parent's income, the number of overnight stays, and costs like childcare and health insurance (Md. Fam. Law 12-201 to 12-204), so a job loss, an income change, or a new custody schedule can make the current amount too high or too low. You can ask for a change in two ways. You can file a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with the circuit court that issued your order, attaching a financial statement (Form CC-DR-030 if combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less, Form CC-DR-031 if it is more). If the Maryland Child Support Administration manages your case, you can instead ask that agency to review the order. A change takes effect only back to the date you file your motion, not to when your circumstances changed, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). 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 Maryland
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Maryland?
File a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with the circuit court that issued your order, or ask the Maryland Child Support Administration to review your case. You must show a material change of circumstance since the last order; Maryland sets no fixed percentage for a court motion (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)).
How much does income have to change to modify child support in Maryland?
Maryland requires a material change of circumstance since the last order, not a fixed percentage or dollar amount (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)). A significant change in either parent's income, a new custody schedule, or a change in the child's needs or care costs can qualify. The court decides whether the change is material.
How far back can a child support change go in Maryland?
A modification can take effect only back to the date you file your motion, not to when your circumstances changed (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). Support that already came due cannot be reduced, so filing promptly protects you. Keep paying the current order until the court changes it.
Which court handles child support modifications in Maryland?
The circuit court in the county where your existing order is filed handles modifications. If the Maryland Child Support Administration, a division of the Department of Human Services, manages your case, you can also ask that agency to review and adjust the order. Both paths apply the state child support guidelines.
Maryland child support modification at a glance
In Maryland, you change an existing child support order by showing a material change of circumstance since the order was made, and Maryland sets no fixed percentage you must clear (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)). Support follows a statewide guideline tied to income, overnight stays, and childcare and health costs (Md. Fam. Law 12-201 to 12-204), so an income change or a new custody schedule can justify a new amount. You file a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with the circuit court, or ask the Maryland Child Support Administration to review your case. A change applies back only to the date you file your motion, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)).
Lowering a Maryland order after a pay cut
Suppose your Maryland child support order was set two years ago and your hours were just cut, a material change of circumstance under Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a). You complete the Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) with a financial statement showing your lower income, and file it with the circuit court that issued your order. You serve the other parent and request a hearing. Because a change applies back only to your filing date (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)), you file right away instead of waiting, and you keep paying the current amount until the judge rules. At the hearing the judge recalculates support under the Maryland guideline and signs a lower order effective from your filing date. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Md. Fam. Law 12-104 (modification of a support award)
Provides that the court may modify a child support award subsequent to the filing of a motion for modification and upon a showing of a material change of circumstance, and that the court may not retroactively modify a support award prior to the date of filing the motion.
Md. Fam. Law 12-204 (child support guideline computation)
Sets out the basic child support obligation schedule used to compute support from the parents' combined adjusted actual income, along with adjustments for health insurance, childcare, and other expenses under Maryland's statewide guideline.
Maryland Courts family law forms (Form CC-DR-006)
The Maryland Judiciary provides the Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) and the financial statement forms (CC-DR-030 and CC-DR-031) used to ask a circuit court to change an existing child support order, free of charge.
Maryland Child Support Administration (modification review)
The Child Support Administration, part of the Department of Human Services, explains that a parent can request a review for modification when a material change in circumstances occurs, or about every three years even without a change.
Regional Variances
Maryland child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
Maryland sets no fixed percentage or dollar amount; you show a material change of circumstance since the last order (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)). The court decides whether the change is material based on income, custody, and the child's needs and care costs.
Where to file
The circuit court in the county that issued your existing order. If the Maryland Child Support Administration, a division of the Department of Human Services, manages your case, you can also ask that agency to review and adjust the order.
Modification form
Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006), with a financial statement (Form CC-DR-030 if combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less, or Form CC-DR-031 if it is more). Forms are free through the Maryland Courts website.
Retroactivity
A modification can take effect only back to the date you file your motion, not to when circumstances changed (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). Support that already came due cannot be reduced.
Periodic review
If the Maryland Child Support Administration handles your case, you can generally request a review about every three years without showing a change, and sooner when a material change of circumstance occurs.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Gather proof of your material change
Before you file days after startingCollect current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new custody schedule), and estimate the new guideline amount (Md. Fam. Law 12-201 to 12-204). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Complete the Motion to Modify (CC-DR-006)
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingFill out the Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006), describe the material change, and attach a financial statement (Form CC-DR-030 or CC-DR-031). Use the free Maryland Courts forms and instructions.
File with the circuit court
Promptly (the change dates back to filing) days after startingFile your CC-DR-006 and financial statement with the circuit court clerk and pay the fee, or request a fee waiver. Because a change applies back only to your filing date, file promptly (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)).
Serve the other parent
After filing, before the hearing days after startingServe the other parent with the filed papers and a Writ of Summons, then file proof of service and a Request for Hearing (Form CC-DR-059). Proper service is required for the court to change the order.
Consider a Child Support Administration review
Anytime your case is with the agency days after startingIf the Maryland Child Support Administration manages your case, ask it to review your order. You can request a review when a material change occurs, and generally about every three years even without a change.
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 Maryland guideline, and get the signed order effective back to your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gather proof of your material change | Collect current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change (job loss, income change, or a new custody schedule), and estimate the new guideline amount (Md. Fam. Law 12-201 to 12-204). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Motion to Modify (CC-DR-006) | Fill out the Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006), describe the material change, and attach a financial statement (Form CC-DR-030 or CC-DR-031). Use the free Maryland Courts forms and instructions. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the circuit court | File your CC-DR-006 and financial statement with the circuit court clerk and pay the fee, or request a fee waiver. Because a change applies back only to your filing date, file promptly (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). | - | Promptly (the change dates back to filing) |
| Serve the other parent | Serve the other parent with the filed papers and a Writ of Summons, then file proof of service and a Request for Hearing (Form CC-DR-059). Proper service is required for the court to change the order. | - | After filing, before the hearing |
| Consider a Child Support Administration review | If the Maryland Child Support Administration manages your case, ask it to review your order. You can request a review when a material change occurs, and generally about every three years even without a change. | - | 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 Maryland guideline, and get the signed order effective back to your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then. | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop can be a material change of circumstance, but you must file a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support to change the amount; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court acts (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). A judge may consider your earning capacity. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support 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 the court to approve. The judge still checks it against the Maryland guideline.
After you file Form CC-DR-006, the circuit court schedules a hearing, often several weeks to a few months out depending on the county. An uncontested change or a Child Support Administration review can be faster. Because the change dates back only to your filing, filing promptly protects you (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)).
Yes. If the Maryland Child Support Administration, a division of the Department of Human Services, manages your case, you can ask it to review your order. The agency can pursue a modification in court when a material change of circumstance is found, or about every three years on request.
You can ask for a review whenever a material change of circumstance occurs (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(a)). If the Maryland Child Support Administration handles your case, you can generally request a review about every three years even without a change, under federal rules. There is no limit on filing when circumstances genuinely change.
A modification changes support only from your filing date forward (Md. Fam. Law 12-104(b)). Support that already came due, called arrears, cannot be reduced or erased by a modification, and unpaid amounts can accrue interest. Keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your motion is pending.
Filing a Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support in circuit court carries a filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it if you cannot afford it. A review through the Maryland Child Support Administration does not charge you a fee. Fee amounts vary by county, so check with the clerk.
You start with the Petition/Motion to Modify Child Support (Form CC-DR-006) and attach a financial statement: Form CC-DR-030 if combined gross monthly income is $30,000 or less, or Form CC-DR-031 if it is more. The Maryland Courts website provides these forms and instructions at no charge.
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