Child support generally may be changed or modified by filing a motion to modify and demonstrating to the court that the circumstances of the child or one or both parents have materially and substantially changed, or that some period of time (3 years, for example) has passed since the court’s last child support order. And if there has been a material and substantial change in the custody of the child—if, for example, the noncustodial parent who was paying child support has become the custodial parent—the court may change or eliminate the child support obligation based on the change in the custody arrangement.

In Idaho, child support orders can be modified if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order was issued. This could include significant changes in income, the needs of the child, or the living arrangements of the parents. Additionally, Idaho law typically considers a substantial and material change to have occurred if three years have passed since the last child support order and there is a 15% change in the amount of support, either up or down, that would be due under the current child support guidelines. If a noncustodial parent who was previously paying child support becomes the custodial parent, this change in custody can be grounds for the court to modify or terminate the child support obligation. To initiate a modification, the parent must file a motion to modify with the court, and the court will evaluate whether the legal standard for modification has been met based on the evidence presented.