How to Reduce Child Support Payments in Massachusetts
- 1). Contact the Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division (DOR) to make an appointment with their office about amending your child support order. You can either go to the "Contact Us" page for the Child Support Enforcement website and give your contact information and explain your request (see Resources), or call 800-332-2733.
- 2). Download a copy of the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines and, using the form, estimate of the amount of money a court will likely order for child support. If the sum is not substantially different from the current sum you are paying, the court will not likely amend the outstanding court order. A copy of the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines is available from the DOR website (see Resources).
- 3). Download the Complaint for Modification form, if you think you are eligible for a modification based on your analysis in Step 2. A copy of the Complaint for Modification form is available from the DOR website (see Resources).
- 4). Complete the Complaint for Modification form in black ink, and mail it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division for processing at P.O. Box 7057, Boston, MA, 02204. Write "Attn: Modification Package" on the envelope as well. Once the Massachusetts Department of Revenue receives your complaint, they will file it with the court on your behalf, provide the custodial parent with a copy and schedule a court hearing regarding a potential child support modification.
- 5). Gather evidence and prepare for the modification hearing. The court will require proof of your inability to pay child support through documentation or oral testimony. You also will need to provide proof of income, such as a W-2 or past tax return. The court will make a determination and modify the child support order, if necessary, after the hearing.
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