Child Support Modification


If the monthly child support you pay or receive is inaccurate, and if other aspects of your child support order need to be modified, such as the provision for post secondary educational support, health insurance, or allocation of the tax exemptions for your children, you can petition to modify it using this proceeding.  You can also use this proceeding if the monthly child support amount is correct, but you need to change another provision, such as post secondary support, health insurance, allocation of the tax exemptions, etc.  If you are served with a petition to modify your child support order, you must respond.  These Pro Se University PS services provide the information you need to file an agreed petition to modify your child support order, or to file or respond to a contested petition at the Kent or Seattle courthouse.

 The Big Picture: How to Modify Child Support

Filing or responding to a child support modification petition requires that you gather your financial information and present it to the court in an organized, logical way.  Pro Se University PS takes you through the process of presenting your petition or responding the a petition that is served on you so that the court can understand what you want and make a fair decision based on everyone’s financial circumstances.  The basic child support modification process requires the following steps:

  1. Filing the summons, petition, financial declaration, sealed financial source documents, and proposed child support worksheet
  2. Serving the other parent with these documents, along with proposed findings, conclusions and order on modification and a proposed child support order.
  3. Responding to or joining in the petition if you are the respondent.
  4. Participating in a settlement conference if you cannot agree on everything on your own.
  5. If you do not settle all issues, going to trial.
  6. Preparing final orders to present to the court after your settlement conference or trial.

Recommended Services

Upcoming webinar and seminar dates are below.  If you would like to attend one of these classes or schedule Attorney Support, sign up now.  Please note that seminars are limited to the first 20 participants to sign up.

  • Drafting a Child Support Worksheet.  This Pro Se University PS class will help you calculate the parties' incomes and the basic support amount. You will also learn how to deal with day care, health insurance and other expenses beyond basic support.  You may sign up to attend this class in-person at a Pro Se University seminar or online through a Pro Se University webinar.

    • Webinar- Saturday- March 6 or March 27, 2010 at 12:30pm
    • Seminar- Wednesday- March 3 or March 24, 2010 at 7:00pm
    • Attorney Support- Call or Email to Schedule Date & Time

  • Drafting a Child Support Order.  This Pro Se University PS class will give you direction and ideas for drafting an effective child support order.  You may sign up to attend this class in-person at a Pro Se University seminar or online through a Pro Se University webinar.  Topics include the very important provisions beyond just the basic support amount.  For example, learn how to draft language to share costs of raising your child such as extracurricular activities, sports expenses, and long distance travel expenses.
    • Webinar- Saturday- March 6 or March 27, 2010 at 12:30pm
    • Seminar- Wednesday- March 3 or March 24, 2010 at 7:00pm
    • Attorney Support- Call or Email to Schedule Date & Time

  • Petition to Modify a Child Support Order.  If the monthly child support you pay or receive is inaccurate, and if other aspects of your child support order need to be modified, such as the provision for post secondary educational support, health insurance, or allocation of the tax exemptions for your children, you can petition to modify it using this proceeding.  You can also use this proceeding if the monthly child support amount is correct, but you need to change another provision, such as post secondary support, health insurance, allocation of the tax exemptions, etc.  If you are served with a petition to modify your child support order, you must respond.  These Pro Se University PS services provide the information you need to file an agreed petition to modify your child support order, or to file or respond to a contested petition at the Kent or Seattle courthouse.
    • Webinar- Saturday- TO BE ANNOUNCED
    • Seminar- Wednesday- TO BE ANNOUNCED
    • Attorney Support- Call or Email to Schedule Date & Time

  • The Ex Parte Hearing.  Pro Se University PS will show you how the ex parte courtroom works, how to conduct yourself, how to argue your case before the commissioner, and what to do after the court has decided your case and handed you the orders.  If you are responding to an ex parte petition or motion brought by the other party, learn how to represent yourself at the hearing.  If the other party is represented, learn how to communicate with and act toward the attorney.
    • Webinar- TO BE ANNOUNCED
    • Seminar- TO BE ANNOUNCED
    • Attorney Support- Call or Email to Schedule Date & Time


How do these services work? Click here to read how it works. You can learn more about Pro Se University PS Webinars, Seminars, and Attorney Support here.