How to change child support in New Jersey

When a change is allowed, how to ask the agency or the court, and a free letter to ask for a review.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

To modify an order means to change the amount by a new order. Either parent can ask the court to modify at any time, but must show that circumstances have changed since the order was entered (Lepis v.

Agency review
Every 3 years if a parent asks (federal law)
First form
Application for Modification of Court Order (FD), CN 11487

When you can ask for a change in New Jersey

Either parent can ask the court to modify at any time, but must show that circumstances have changed since the order was entered (Lepis v. Lepis). New revised guidelines alone are not a reason to modify. Every three years you get a notice offering a review (public assistance cases are reviewed automatically), and most orders made or changed after September 1, 1998 get an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every two years.

Law: Appendix IX-A para. 23; N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.9a; Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980); R. 5:6B (COLA)

Can I ask for a change? Check your situation

New Jersey's rule: Either parent can ask the court to modify at any time, but must show that circumstances have changed since the order was entered (Lepis v. Lepis). New revised guidelines alone are not a reason to modify. Every three years you get a notice offering a review (public assistance cases are reviewed automatically), and most orders made or changed after September 1, 1998 get an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every two years.

Law: Appendix IX-A para. 23; N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.9a; Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980); R. 5:6B (COLA)

Until a new order is made, the current amount is still owed. A change can count only from the date the other parent gets notice of your request, so ask soon.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

How to ask in New Jersey: File the Application for Modification of Court Order (CN 11487) with the Family Division (by JEDS, in person or by mail); the filing fee is $25 unless you get a fee waiver. Include the Summary Form for Financial Information. In a three-year review, the county welfare agency first tries to reach a consent agreement and files a motion if parents don't agree.

Asking for a review in New Jersey

File the Application for Modification of Court Order (CN 11487) with the Family Division (by JEDS, in person or by mail); the filing fee is $25 unless you get a fee waiver. Include the Summary Form for Financial Information. In a three-year review, the county welfare agency first tries to reach a consent agreement and files a motion if parents don't agree.

Write to the child support agency to ask for a review: Ask the agency to review (change) your order

New rules in New Jersey

The Child Support Guidelines are updated every year. Amendments took effect June 1, 2024, June 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026. The June 1, 2026 update raised the self-support reserve to $460 a week (150% of the 2026 poverty guideline for one person) and changed qualified child care costs to care for a child under 13 (or a child with a disability), instead of under 15.

Source: Appendix IX-A and related appendices

If a parent is in jail or prison

State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)

In nearby states

What to do now in New Jersey

  1. Get the order

    Note the date it was made or last changed and the amount.

  2. See if a change is allowed

    The rule in New Jersey: Either parent can ask the court to modify at any time, but must show that circumstances have changed since the order was entered (Lepis v.

  3. Show the change

    Pay stubs, a job loss letter or proof of new costs show what changed.

  4. Send your request

    Ask for a review with New Jersey Child Support Program (Division of Family Development, NJ Department of Human Services (1-877-655-4371) · Apply online

Free help in New Jersey

Questions about changing support in New Jersey

When can child support be changed in New Jersey?

Either parent can ask the court to modify at any time, but must show that circumstances have changed since the order was entered (Lepis v. Lepis). New revised guidelines alone are not a reason to modify. Every three years you get a notice offering a review (public assistance cases are reviewed automatically), and most orders made or changed after September 1, 1998 get an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every two years.

How do I ask to change child support in New Jersey?

File the Application for Modification of Court Order (CN 11487) with the Family Division (by JEDS, in person or by mail); the filing fee is $25 unless you get a fee waiver. Include the Summary Form for Financial Information. In a three-year review, the county welfare agency first tries to reach a consent agreement and files a motion if parents don't agree.

More for New Jersey

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources