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If you lose your job, can you stop making child support payments?

Last Updated: October 05, 2009

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No. Parents have a legal obligation to make court-ordered child support payments no matter what negative economic circumstances (for example, unemployment or income reduction) occur. However, parents who have suffered a loss of income do have the option of petitioning the court to reduce the amount that they owe, at least temporarily. Motions to adjust child support payments are often made with the assistance of an attorney and will require payment of legal fees and court fees.

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