Child support orders in Oregon are calculated by using a formula established by state law. They are based on the incomes of both parents, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, the size of the family and other factors, and the amount the court orders may be increased or reduced if either parent’s situation changes significantly. Child support orders can be reviewed or modified every 35 months in Oregon, but parents seeking modifications are expected to provide proof of a significant change in circumstances.
Reasons to modify a child support order
Petitions to modify child support orders in Oregon are usually submitted by noncustodial parents who have either lost their jobs or are earning less money than they once did. However, child support orders may also be modified in Oregon if:
- The custodial parent’s income has increased
- The child’s custody arrangements have changed
- The needs of the child have changed
- The number of children has changed
- The Oregon Youth Authority has the child in custody
The child support modification process
Parents in Oregon who wish to modify a child support order must submit a request for review form and an income and expenses statement to the Oregon Child Support Program. The forms can be downloaded from the Oregon Department of Justice website. The Oregon Child Support Program then notifies the other parent and reviews the documents. If the information provided is verified and shows that the situation has changed significantly, Oregon Child Support creates a proposed modification. Parents then have up to 30 days to request a hearing. Hearings are presided over by an administrative law judge. If no parent objects, the proposed modification is finalized after 34 days. The process usually takes between 90 and 120 days to complete.
Permanent changes
Child support modifications are usually granted only when a significant change in circumstances is likely to be permanent. Parents who are thinking about seeking modifications should only act when a change in circumstances is both significant and likely to be permanent because child support orders can only be reviewed every 35 months.
