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 Vermont, 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, employment, the needs of the child, or other relevant factors. Additionally, Vermont law typically considers a passage of time, such as three years, as a potential basis for reviewing and modifying child support. If there is a change in the custody arrangement, such as when the noncustodial parent becomes the custodial parent, this can also be grounds for the court to modify or terminate the child support obligation. To initiate a modification, a motion to modify must be filed with the court, and the parent seeking the change must demonstrate the material and substantial change in circumstances.