How Can a Child Support Order Be Modified in Illinois?
Posted on January 06, 2026 in Child Support
After your divorce finalizes and child support payments begin, life does not stand still. Jobs and income change, as do growing children’s needs. As these changes happen, you may wonder whether your current child support order still makes sense.
Illinois law recognizes that circumstances change and provides parents with options to modify child support orders under certain circumstances. If you want more information about asking the court to change your child support order in 2026, call our Wheaton, IL child support lawyers today.
When Can I Modify My Child Support Order in Illinois?
Illinois law allows child support orders to be modified for a few reasons:
What Qualifies as a Substantial Change in Circumstances for Changing a Child Support Order?
The most common reason for a change in child support payments is a change to the paying parent's income. Bear in mind that you cannot intentionally get a lower-paying job or quit your job in order to pay less child support.
If the parent paying child support does any of the following, a change in support payment may be approved:
-
Loses their job
-
Moves to a more expensive area
-
Takes a lower-paying position
-
Receives a significant raise
-
Has their work hours reduced
-
Becomes disabled
-
Is sent to jail or prison
-
Has a change in family size and must support more children
Changes in the child's life can also justify updated orders. If your child develops a disability that needs ongoing medical care, the original support amount may no longer cover their needs. Other significant changes include a child getting married, joining the armed forces, or becoming financially independent.
Who Handles Illinois Child Support Modification Reviews, and How Often Can They Happen?
In Illinois, child support modification reviews are handled in two different ways. The DCSS is in charge of administrative reviews (the standard three-year reviews). They are responsible for making sure that child support orders follow current Illinois law and reflect parent's new circumstances.
Modifications can also go through the court system. An Illinois family law attorney can help you determine which option makes sense for your specific situation. Some cases are more straightforward and better for review by the DCSS. Others are more complex and should be handled with the help of a lawyer.
Parents have the right to request a review any time there is a substantial change of circumstance. Otherwise, reviews will happen every three years.
What Happens if my Coparent Asks for a Child Support Modification?
The court will notify you if your child’s other parent asks to review child support payments. Within 30 days of receiving a request, the agency or court will send a letter stating whether the order qualifies for review. If it does, both parents must provide financial documentation to the agency or court.
If you do not want the amount of child support to change, you can give the court the reasons you believe it should stay the same. Your lawyer can help you show evidence to support your argument. For example, if your ex takes a job that doesn’t pay as much, or deliberately quits their job to avoid paying child support, you can tell the court what you think is really going on.
What Happens After a Modification Review is Complete?
Once the review process is complete, you will receive a written decision by mail saying whether your payments will increase, decrease, or remain the same. Your attorney might get an earlier notification through the e-filing system.
If you disagree with the decision, Illinois law provides you with options to challenge it. You can request further review through established administrative or legal channels. Acting quickly is important, as there are time limits for filing appeals or objections.
Judges are not strictly required to follow statutory guidelines when setting support amounts, but if they deviate from the standard calculation, they must provide written findings explaining why the guidelines were not appropriate in your case.
Connect with a Wheaton, IL Child Support Lawyer Today
Navigating a child support review can be complicated. You are most likely to succeed if you have an experienced DuPage County family law attorney to help you.
If you believe your child support order should be modified, the lawyers at Andrew Cores Family Law Group are ready to help. Andy Cores is currently a Fellow for the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, and with offices in Wheaton and DuPage County, we are well-positioned to help Illinois families who need legal guidance.
Contact us today at 630-871-1002 for a free consultation.
