How to Modify Child Support in Vermont
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Vermont · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Vermont, a child support modification is a court order changing the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances change, and the state gives you a clear signal: if a new calculation under the guideline varies more than ten percent from your current order, that counts as a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances (15 V.S.A. 660). To change most orders you must show a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances since the last order, though if the order has not been modified for at least three years the court may waive that requirement. Child support in Vermont follows a statewide guideline tied to each parent's income (15 V.S.A. 654), so a job loss or a new parenting schedule can make the current amount too high or too low. You ask for a change by filing a Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803) with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where the order was issued, and the Vermont Office of Child Support can also help review your case. A change applies only to future installments and those accruing after the other parent gets notice of your motion, and the filing date counts as that notice date (15 V.S.A. 660(e)), so support already due cannot be erased. 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 Vermont
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Vermont?
File a Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803) with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your order was issued. You must show a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances since the last order (15 V.S.A. 660). The Vermont Office of Child Support can also help.
How much does the amount have to change to modify child support in Vermont?
Vermont presumes a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances when a new calculation under the guideline varies more than ten percent from your current order (15 V.S.A. 660). That presumption is rebuttable. You can also seek a change for other real, substantial, and unanticipated changes since the last order.
How far back can a child support change go in Vermont?
A modification reaches only future support installments and installments accruing after the other parent receives notice of your motion, and the date you file the motion counts as that notice date (15 V.S.A. 660(e)). Support that already came due cannot be reduced, so filing promptly protects you. Keep paying until the court rules.
Which court handles child support modifications in Vermont?
The Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your final child support order was issued handles modifications. If the Vermont Office of Child Support has your case, it can review the order and take a modification to that court. Both paths apply the statewide child support guideline (15 V.S.A. 654).
Vermont child support modification at a glance
In Vermont, a child support modification is a court changing the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances change. The headline signal is quantified: a new calculation under the guideline that varies more than ten percent from your current order is treated as a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances, and that presumption is rebuttable (15 V.S.A. 660). Support follows a statewide guideline tied to each parent's income (15 V.S.A. 654). You file a Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803) with the Family Division of the Superior Court where your order was issued, or ask the Vermont Office of Child Support to help. A change reaches only installments accruing after the other parent gets notice of your motion, and the filing date is that notice date (15 V.S.A. 660(e)).
Lowering a Vermont order after a pay cut
Suppose your hours were cut and a fresh guideline calculation now comes out more than ten percent below your current Vermont order, which Vermont treats as a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances (15 V.S.A. 660). You complete the Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803) with proof of your lower income and file it with the Family Division where your order was issued. Because a change reaches only installments accruing after notice of your motion (15 V.S.A. 660(e)), you file right away and keep paying the current amount until the court rules. At the hearing the court recalculates support under the guideline and, if it grants the motion, signs a lower order effective from your filing date. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
15 V.S.A. 660 (modification of child support; effective date)
Provides that a court may modify a child support order upon a showing of a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances, treats a new guideline amount that varies more than ten percent from the order as such a change, and limits a modification to installments accruing after notice of the motion.
15 V.S.A. 654 (child support guideline)
Directs the Secretary of Human Services to prescribe the child support guideline that Vermont courts use to set and recalculate support based on parental income, the formula a court applies when it rules on a modification.
Vermont Judiciary: child support (Family Division)
The Vermont Judiciary explains how to change a child support order, provides the Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803), and directs filing in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where the order was issued.
Vermont Office of Child Support
The Vermont Office of Child Support, part of the Department for Children and Families, helps parents establish, review, modify, and enforce child support orders, including the federally required periodic review of orders about every three years.
Regional Variances
Vermont child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
A real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances since the last order; a new guideline calculation that varies more than ten percent from the current order is presumed to be such a change, and the presumption is rebuttable (15 V.S.A. 660).
Where to file
The Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your final child support order was issued. The Vermont Office of Child Support can also review a case it manages and take a modification to that court.
Modification form
Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement, Form 400-00803, filed with a current financial affidavit and proof of income. The Vermont Judiciary provides the form and instructions free on its website.
Retroactivity
A modification reaches only future installments and installments accruing after the date of notice of the motion, and the filing date is deemed that notice date (15 V.S.A. 660(e)). Support already due cannot be reduced.
Periodic review
If the Vermont Office of Child Support handles your case, you can generally request a review about every three years under federal rules, and the court may waive the change-of-circumstances requirement after three years (15 V.S.A. 660).
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, and estimate the new guideline amount to see whether it varies more than ten percent from your order (15 V.S.A. 660). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Complete the Motion to Modify (Form 400-00803)
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingFill out the Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803), describe the changed circumstances, and attach a current financial affidavit and proof of income. Use the free Vermont Judiciary form and instructions.
File with the Family Division
Promptly (the change dates back to filing) days after startingFile your motion with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your order was issued, and pay the fee or ask the court to waive it. Because a change applies only from the notice date, file promptly (15 V.S.A. 660(e)).
Serve the other parent
After filing, per the court's rules days after startingServe the other parent with your filed motion following the court's rules, then file proof of service. Proper notice is required, and the filing date counts as the date of notice that fixes how far back a change can reach (15 V.S.A. 660(e)).
Consider an OCS review
Anytime your case is with the agency days after startingIf the Vermont Office of Child Support manages your case, ask it to review your order. Under federal rules you can generally request a review about every three years, and sooner when a real, substantial, and unanticipated change occurs.
Attend the hearing and get the new order
On your hearing date days after startingGo to the hearing with your income proof, let the court recalculate support under the guideline (15 V.S.A. 654), and get the signed order effective from your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gather proof of your changed circumstances | Collect current pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change, and estimate the new guideline amount to see whether it varies more than ten percent from your order (15 V.S.A. 660). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Motion to Modify (Form 400-00803) | Fill out the Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement (Form 400-00803), describe the changed circumstances, and attach a current financial affidavit and proof of income. Use the free Vermont Judiciary form and instructions. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the Family Division | File your motion with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where your order was issued, and pay the fee or ask the court to waive it. Because a change applies only from the notice date, file promptly (15 V.S.A. 660(e)). | - | Promptly (the change dates back to filing) |
| Serve the other parent | Serve the other parent with your filed motion following the court's rules, then file proof of service. Proper notice is required, and the filing date counts as the date of notice that fixes how far back a change can reach (15 V.S.A. 660(e)). | - | After filing, per the court's rules |
| Consider an OCS review | If the Vermont Office of Child Support manages your case, ask it to review your order. Under federal rules you can generally request a review about every three years, and sooner when a real, substantial, and unanticipated change occurs. | - | 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 court recalculate support under the guideline (15 V.S.A. 654), and get the signed order effective from your filing date. Keep paying the current order until then. | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income drop can support a modification, and a new guideline amount that varies more than ten percent from your order is presumed a qualifying change (15 V.S.A. 660). You must still file a motion; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court acts. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement 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, and the court checks it against the guideline (15 V.S.A. 654).
After you file Form 400-00803, the Family Division sets a hearing, often several weeks to a few months out depending on the county. An agreed change or an Office of Child Support review can be faster. Because a change dates back only to your filing, filing promptly protects you (15 V.S.A. 660(e)).
Yes. If the Vermont Office of Child Support handles your case, you can ask it to review your order and, when appropriate, take a modification to the Family Division. It can also help when a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances has occurred since your last order (15 V.S.A. 660).
You can seek a change whenever a real, substantial, and unanticipated change of circumstances occurs. If the Office of Child Support handles your case, you can generally request a review about every three years under federal rules, and Vermont lets the court waive the change requirement after three years (15 V.S.A. 660).
A modification changes only future installments and those accruing after notice of your motion (15 V.S.A. 660(e)). Support that already came due, called arrears, cannot be reduced or erased by a modification. Keep paying your current order so you do not build arrears while your request is pending.
Filing a Motion to Modify in the Family Division carries a court filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it if you cannot afford it. A review through the Vermont Office of Child Support does not charge you a fee. Fee amounts are set by the Vermont Judiciary.
You file the Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Maintenance Supplement, Form 400-00803, with the Family Division of the Superior Court. Attach a current financial affidavit and proof of income. The Vermont Judiciary provides the form and instructions on its website at no charge (15 V.S.A. 660).
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