How to Modify Child Support in Mississippi
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Mississippi · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Mississippi, a child support modification is a Chancery Court order, or a state agency adjustment, that changes the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances have changed. To modify an order outside a routine three-year review, you file a petition for modification in Chancery Court and must prove a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered; there is no fixed percentage or dollar trigger (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Child support here follows a statewide guideline that applies a set percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income, 14 percent for one child and 20 percent for two (Miss. Code 43-19-101), so a real change in income, employment, or the child's needs can make the current amount too high or too low. You can ask for a change in two ways. You can file a petition for modification with the Chancery Court that entered your order, or, if the Mississippi Department of Human Services enforces your case, you can ask its Division of Child Support Enforcement to review the order. A change can take effect only back to the date notice of your petition to modify was given to the other parent, not to when your circumstances changed, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Keep paying your current order until it is changed. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Mississippi
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Mississippi?
File a petition for modification in the Chancery Court that entered your order, or ask the Mississippi Department of Human Services to review your case. Outside a three-year review, you must prove a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered; there is no fixed percentage (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
How much does income have to change to modify child support in Mississippi?
Mississippi sets no fixed percentage or dollar amount for a court modification. Outside the three-year review, you must show a material or substantial change in circumstances, such as a real change in income or the child's needs (Miss. Code 43-19-34). The guideline applies 14 percent of adjusted gross income for one child (Miss. Code 43-19-101).
How far back can a child support change go in Mississippi?
A modification can take effect only back to the date notice of your petition to modify was given to the other parent, not to when your circumstances changed (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Support that already came due cannot be reduced, so giving notice promptly protects you. Keep paying the current order until the court changes it.
Which court handles child support modifications in Mississippi?
The Chancery Court that entered your existing order handles modifications, because Chancery Courts have jurisdiction over family and child support matters in Mississippi. If the Mississippi Department of Human Services enforces your case, its Division of Child Support Enforcement can also review the order and take an adjustment to court when it is warranted.
Mississippi child support modification at a glance
In Mississippi, a child support modification is a Chancery Court order, or a Department of Human Services adjustment, that changes an existing child support order after circumstances change. Outside a routine three-year review, you must prove a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered, and there is no fixed percentage or dollar trigger (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Support follows a statewide guideline applying a set percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income, 14 percent for one child and 20 percent for two (Miss. Code 43-19-101). You file a petition for modification in the Chancery Court that entered the order, or ask the Division of Child Support Enforcement to review it. A change applies only back to the date notice of the petition was given, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
Lowering a Mississippi order after a pay cut
Suppose a Mississippi father was ordered to pay child support through the Chancery Court three years ago, and his hours were recently cut. Because Mississippi requires a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated, he gathers pay stubs showing the lower income and prepares a Petition for Modification of Child Support. He files it with the Chancery Clerk in the county that entered the order and has the other parent served. Because a change can reach back only to the date notice of the petition was given (Miss. Code 43-19-34), he gives notice promptly and keeps paying the current amount until the chancellor rules. At the hearing the chancellor recalculates support under the guideline (Miss. Code 43-19-101). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Miss. Code 43-19-34 (modification and retroactivity of a support order)
Governs modification of child support orders, requires proof of a material change in circumstances for a modification outside the three-year review, and provides that an order is not subject to retroactive modification except from the date that notice of the petition to modify has been given to the other party.
Miss. Code 43-19-101 (child support guideline percentages)
Sets Mississippi's statewide child support guideline as a rebuttable presumption, applying a percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: 14 percent for one child, 20 percent for two, 22 percent for three, 24 percent for four, and 26 percent for five or more children.
Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
The state child support (IV-D) agency that enforces orders and, on request or about every three years, reviews an order and can pursue an adjustment through the court when the guideline shows a change is warranted.
Mississippi Judiciary (Chancery Courts)
The Mississippi Judiciary site describes the Chancery Courts, which have jurisdiction over family law and child support matters, including petitions to modify an existing child support order filed with the county Chancery Clerk.
Regional Variances
Mississippi child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
Mississippi sets no fixed percentage or dollar trigger. Outside a three-year review, you must prove a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered (Miss. Code 43-19-34). The guideline applies a set percentage of adjusted gross income (Miss. Code 43-19-101).
Where to file
The Chancery Court in the county that entered your existing order, filed with the Chancery Clerk. If the Mississippi Department of Human Services enforces your case, its Division of Child Support Enforcement can review the order and take an adjustment to court.
Modification form
Mississippi has no statewide numbered court form. You file a Petition for Modification of Child Support, a pleading that states the changed circumstances. The Division of Child Support Enforcement uses parent review questionnaires to start an agency review.
Retroactivity
A modification can take effect only back to the date notice of the petition to modify was given to the other party, not to when circumstances changed (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Support that already came due cannot be reduced.
Periodic review
If the Department of Human Services enforces your case, either parent can request a review about every three years, and no proof of a material change is required in that three-year review (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
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, medical need, or a new custody arrangement), and estimate the new guideline amount (Miss. Code 43-19-101). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Confirm you have a material change
Before you file days after startingCheck that your change is a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered, since Mississippi requires that for a modification outside the three-year review (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
Prepare the Petition for Modification of Child Support
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingDraft a Petition for Modification of Child Support that describes the changed circumstances and the amount you request under the guideline. Mississippi has no statewide numbered court form, so the petition is a pleading you prepare for the Chancery Court.
File with the Chancery Court
Promptly days after startingFile your petition with the Chancery Clerk in the county that entered your order and pay the filing fee. The Chancery Court has jurisdiction over child support modifications and will set a hearing before a chancellor.
Give notice to the other parent
Right after filing days after startingHave the other parent served with your petition and summons, then file proof of service. A change can reach back only to the date notice of your petition was given, so give notice promptly (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
Consider an agency review and attend the hearing
On your hearing date days after startingIf the Department of Human Services enforces your case, ask the Division of Child Support Enforcement to review the order. At the hearing, let the chancellor recalculate support under the guideline, and keep paying the current order until it is changed.
| 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, medical need, or a new custody arrangement), and estimate the new guideline amount (Miss. Code 43-19-101). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Confirm you have a material change | Check that your change is a material or substantial change in circumstances that was not reasonably anticipated when the order was entered, since Mississippi requires that for a modification outside the three-year review (Miss. Code 43-19-34). | - | Before you file |
| Prepare the Petition for Modification of Child Support | Draft a Petition for Modification of Child Support that describes the changed circumstances and the amount you request under the guideline. Mississippi has no statewide numbered court form, so the petition is a pleading you prepare for the Chancery Court. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the Chancery Court | File your petition with the Chancery Clerk in the county that entered your order and pay the filing fee. The Chancery Court has jurisdiction over child support modifications and will set a hearing before a chancellor. | - | Promptly |
| Give notice to the other parent | Have the other parent served with your petition and summons, then file proof of service. A change can reach back only to the date notice of your petition was given, so give notice promptly (Miss. Code 43-19-34). | - | Right after filing |
| Consider an agency review and attend the hearing | If the Department of Human Services enforces your case, ask the Division of Child Support Enforcement to review the order. At the hearing, let the chancellor recalculate support under the guideline, and keep paying the current order until it is changed. | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop can support a modification, but you must file a petition in Chancery Court to change the amount; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court acts (Miss. Code 43-19-34). A chancellor may weigh whether the loss was voluntary. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a petition for modification on their own, and the other parent is served and can respond. If both parents agree on a new amount, they can present a written agreement for a chancellor to approve, and the court still measures it against the guideline (Miss. Code 43-19-101).
After you file your petition, the Chancery Court sets a hearing, often several weeks to a few months out depending on the county's docket. An agreed modification or a Department of Human Services review can move faster. Because a change reaches back only to notice of your petition, giving notice promptly protects you.
If the Mississippi Department of Human Services enforces your case, its Division of Child Support Enforcement can review your order and pursue an adjustment through the court when the guideline shows a change is warranted. You can request a review, and the agency notifies both parents of that right about every three years.
You can seek a modification whenever a material or substantial change in circumstances occurs. Separately, if the Department of Human Services enforces your case, either parent can request a review about every three years without proving a change, and no proof of a material change is required in that three-year review (Miss. Code 43-19-34).
A modification changes support only from the date notice of your petition was given forward (Miss. Code 43-19-34). Support that already came due, called arrears, generally cannot be reduced or erased. Keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your petition is pending in Chancery Court.
A chancellor applies the statewide guideline, a percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: 14 percent for one child, 20 percent for two, 22 percent for three, 24 percent for four, and 26 percent for five or more (Miss. Code 43-19-101). The guideline is a rebuttable presumption a court can adjust.
You file a Petition for Modification of Child Support with the Chancery Clerk in the county where your existing order was entered, because Chancery Courts handle child support in Mississippi. There is no statewide numbered court form, so the petition is a pleading that states your changed circumstances and the amount you request.
Other Mississippi guides
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