Child Support Modification - New York
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF [COUNTY]
Docket No.: [DOCKET NUMBER]
File No.: [FILE NUMBER, IF ANY]
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| [PETITIONER NAME] | Petitioner |
| [RESPONDENT NAME] | Respondent |
VERIFIED PETITION FOR MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDER
I, [PETITIONER NAME], petition to modify the child-support order identified below. The facts supporting modification are set out in this petition pursuant to Family Court Act § 451(2)-(3).
1. Parties, child, and existing order
- Petitioner resides at [ADDRESS] and is the child's [RELATIONSHIP]. Respondent resides at [ADDRESS] and is the child's [RELATIONSHIP].
- The child or children covered by the order are [NAMES AND DATES OF BIRTH].
- On [DATE], [COURT AND COUNTY] entered the existing support order in [DOCKET / INDEX NUMBER], directing [PAYOR] to pay $[AMOUNT] per [PERIOD]. The order was last modified or adjusted on [DATE / NONE]. A copy of the operative order and any later modification is attached as Exhibit A.
- This Court has authority to consider this petition because [IDENTIFY THE EXISTING FAMILY COURT ORDER OR OTHER BASIS FOR THIS COURT'S JURISDICTION; ADDRESS ANY INTERSTATE ORDER].
2. Ground for modification
☐ Substantial change in circumstances under Family Court Act § 451(3)(a). The change is [SPECIFIC FACTS, DATES, AND EFFECT ON SUPPORT].
☐ Three years since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted under § 451(3)(b)(i). Relevant date: [DATE]. The parties [DID / DID NOT] specifically opt out of this ground in a valid agreement or stipulation.
☐ At least 15 percent change in a party's gross income since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted under § 451(3)(b)(ii). Party: [NAME]; prior gross income: $[AMOUNT]; current gross income: $[AMOUNT]; change: [PERCENT]. The parties [DID / DID NOT] specifically opt out of this ground in a valid agreement or stipulation. If the claimed change is an income reduction, it was involuntary and the party made diligent efforts to obtain work commensurate with education, ability, and experience: [FACTS].
The relevant agreement, stipulation, income records, and other supporting documents are identified in Exhibit B. Other facts affecting the requested amount are [FACTS, INCLUDING ANY CHANGE IN THE CHILD'S NEEDS, CARE ARRANGEMENT, OR HEALTH COVERAGE].
3. Requested order
I ask the Court to:
- Modify the existing order to $[PROPOSED AMOUNT] per [PERIOD], or another amount the Court determines under Family Court Act § 413, based on the financial evidence and any required findings for a deviation.
- Address [HEALTH INSURANCE, QUALIFYING CHILD-CARE COSTS, UNREIMBURSED HEALTH EXPENSES, OR EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES] as applicable under § 413.
- Set the effective date and any retroactive support under Family Court Act § 440(1)(a), taking account of payments already made and any applicable public-assistance date.
- Direct collection or income withholding as authorized by the resulting order and applicable law. The current order's collection route is [SUPPORT COLLECTION UNIT / OTHER].
- Grant any other relief the Court finds authorized and just.
If this order is enforced through the Support Collection Unit and qualifies for review under Family Court Act § 413-a and Social Services Law § 111-n, I request that any cost-of-living review proceed through the statutory notice, threshold, and objection process.
4. Financial disclosure and attachments
Family Court Act § 424-a requires financial disclosure in support proceedings. I will file a sworn statement of net worth on the Court's date, no later than ten days after the petition's return date, with the required representative paycheck stub and most recently filed state and federal tax returns and W-2s. The Court may direct further disclosure.
Exhibit A: Existing order and later modification or adjustment, if any.
Exhibit B: Documents supporting the selected modification ground.
Exhibit C: Financial records filed or to be filed under § 424-a.
Other exhibits: [IDENTIFY]
Verification
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF [COUNTY]:
I, [PETITIONER NAME], being duly sworn, state that I am the Petitioner; I have read this petition; its factual statements are true to my own knowledge except those stated on information and belief, which I believe to be true.
Petitioner signature: [SIGNATURE]
Date: [DATE]
Sworn before me on [DATE].
Notary public: [SIGNATURE AND SEAL]
Service record
Person served: [NAME]
Date and place: [DETAILS]
Method and proof of service: [DETAILS OR ATTACHED AFFIDAVIT]
About this template
- Last updated
- October 19, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- New York
- Category
- Family Law
Family law covers the paperwork that shapes divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship, and other family matters. These filings are emotional and high-stakes, and they also have to meet strict procedural rules for service, financial disclosure, and parenting plans. Clean, accurate paperwork keeps the focus on getting a workable outcome for the family instead of getting derailed by technical problems that delay hearings or force amended filings.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
The statutes this template relies on are listed under Legal authority.
N.Y. Family Court Act § 451(2)-(3) (checked October 19, 2026): "A proceeding to modify an order of support shall be commenced by the filing of a petition which shall allege facts sufficient to meet one or more of the grounds enumerated in subdivision three of this section."
N.Y. Family Court Act § 413(1)(a) (checked October 19, 2026): "The court shall make its award for child support pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. The court may vary from the amount of the basic child support obligation determined pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subdivision only in accordance with paragraph (f) of this subdivision."
N.Y. Family Court Act § 424-a(a) (checked October 19, 2026): "A sworn statement of net worth shall be filed with the clerk of the court on a date to be fixed by the court, no later than ten days after the return date of the petition."
N.Y. Family Court Act § 440(1)(a) (checked October 19, 2026): "shall in either case, except as provided for herein, be effective as of the earlier of the date of the filing of the petition therefor, or, if the children for whom support is sought are in receipt of public assistance, the date for which their eligibility for public assistance was effective"
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