When life changes, your child support order may need to change too. In Minnesota, the courts recognize that income shifts, parenting time adjustments, and milestone events like graduation can impact a parent’s financial responsibilities. If you’re wondering how to navigate a child support modification, this guide breaks it down—when it’s time, what to expect, and how to do it right.

When Is It Time to Modify Child Support?

The most common triggers for child support modification include:

• A child turning 18 and graduating from high school

• A significant change in parenting time (especially overnight stays)

• A significant loss or increase in income

One important note: getting remarried doesn’t change child support. “The new spouse’s income does not factor into the income examined for child support calculations,” according to attorney and partner Katie Jarvi. Only the biological parents’ financial circumstances and parenting schedules matter.

How the Process Works in Minnesota

Modifications start with a change in one or more factors the court uses to calculate support—like income, insurance costs, daycare, or overnights. Attorney Katherine Rotmil explains, “There are predetermined child support calculations made by the courts… If circumstances change, the numbers are updated in the calculator and a new value is determined.”

Typically, parents exchange updated documentation, run new numbers using the court’s child support calculator, and submit a revised agreement.

If both parties can negotiate and agree, it’s a straightforward process. If they don’t? That’s where legal help becomes essential.

Why Working with a Lawyer Matters

Some parents try to reach a new agreement on their own—but even a written agreement can fall short if it isn’t made official through the courts.

 “A common mistake we see is clients creating some sort of unofficial agreement and then expecting it to hold. These cannot be technically enforced unless there is a court order, which can be difficult to get without the help of an attorney,” says Katherine.

Attorneys help ensure every line of the support calculation is accurate—especially when it comes to income. “There are a lot of arguments about income and what counts,” claims Jarvi, noting the “hidden tips and tricks in calculating that number, which can get complex without an attorney’s guidance.”

An experienced family law attorney can also spot common missteps, such as including ineligible deductions or missing out on hidden income sources. In short, they help prevent costly mistakes.

What If the Other Parent Resists?

Resistance from the other parent is common, especially when emotions run high. Matt Tuttle, life coach at Johnson/Turner, has seen this firsthand. “Sometimes, clients get far too upset or hung up on the other parent… It should be about the child, and the worst thing we see is when it becomes about something else.”

If informal efforts fail, legal avenues are available. Jarvi advises, “You can file a motion to modify child support through the courts… the co-parent would be summoned, there would be testimony regarding both parties’ income and expenses, and the judge would get to make the final call.”

With this route, timing and documentation are everything. Waiting too long can cost you retroactive payments, since the court only requires the co-parent to pay the modification for dates after the date the motion was filed.

Stay grounded, act quickly, and bring clarity to the court.

What You’ll Need to File

To support your case, gather:

• Most recent paystubs or W-2s

• Documentation of insurance or medical expenses (if relevant)

• An estimated gross income value

Helping You Move Forward with Confidence

Whether you’re adjusting for a change in income, parenting time, or your child’s graduation, you deserve clarity and peace of mind. At Johnson/Turner, we guide you through every step with transparency and strength—so you don’t have to face this alone.

Let’s talk. Our legal teams are ready to help you build a plan, act fast, and protect what matters most.