Child Support: What are Substantial and Continuous Changes

I wrote about how often a person can modify child support in Indiana in How often can you request a child support modification?. I think the twenty percent (20%) change between the previously ordered child support amount and the current amount calculated is pretty much self-explanatory. What makes a substantial and continuous change is less apparent.

Why a substantial and continuous change so hard to pin down is that most of these changes depend on the case. When someone loses a job, they should get into court for a modification hearing. I would not give the same advice if one merely shifted from job to another without any great increase or decrease in income. With the online child support calculator, ordinary people have the ability to calculate their child support. I think most of us used a rule of thumb that a $100.00-$200.00 change in the gross weekly income did not justify the costs of modifying child support. I would certainly say there has been a substantial and continuous change when one party's income doubles from something like $20,000.00 to $40,000.00. Between these two examples, I suggest you contact a lawyer and talk over the details.