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Imagine your support order as a carefully balanced scale. When you first set it up, both sides—your needs and your ability to pay—are in harmony. But life is unpredictable. Sometimes, a sudden gust of wind—like a job loss or a pay cut—can tip the scale, making it impossible to keep things balanced. Arizona law recognizes that these changes happen, and it provides a way to adjust support orders so that no one is left struggling unfairly.
Support orders, whether for child support or spousal maintenance, are based on the financial circumstances at the time of your divorce or last court hearing. But what if you lose your job, take a pay cut, or face a medical emergency that changes your ability to earn? Arizona courts understand that these events can make it impossible to meet your obligations. The law allows you to ask for a modification, but only if the change is “substantial and continuing.” This means the change must be significant—usually at least a 15% difference in income—and not just a temporary setback.
For example, if you’re laid off from a $70,000-a-year job and your new job pays $50,000, that’s a 28% drop. If you’re out of work for a few weeks but quickly find a similar job, the court may not see this as enough to change your support order. But if your new income is much lower and the situation is likely to last, you have a strong case for modification.
When you ask the court to change your support order, you’re not just filling out a form. You’re telling a story—explaining what changed, why it matters, and how it affects your ability to support your children or former spouse. The court will want to see evidence, not just your word. This means pay stubs, termination letters, job applications, and proof of your efforts to find new work.
Arizona judges look at several factors:
If you quit your job on purpose or take a lower-paying job without a good reason, the court may “impute” your old income—meaning they’ll pretend you still earn what you used to and base support on that amount. But if you’re laid off, your company closes, or you’re forced to take a lower-paying job due to circumstances beyond your control, the court is much more likely to grant a modification.
Let’s look at how this works in practice. Carlos and Maria divorced in 2019. Carlos was ordered to pay $1,200 a month in child support based on his $80,000 salary as a project manager. In 2024, Carlos’s company downsized, and he lost his job. Despite applying for dozens of positions, the best job he could find paid $55,000 a year.
Carlos didn’t wait. He gathered his layoff notice, a spreadsheet of job applications, and his new employment contract. He filed a petition to modify his support order, explaining the drop in income and showing that he was doing everything possible to get back on his feet.
At the hearing, the judge reviewed Carlos’s evidence and asked about his job search. Maria argued that Carlos should have found a higher-paying job, but the judge noted that the job market in Carlos’s field had shrunk and that he was working full-time. The court reduced Carlos’s child support to $850 a month, with a review scheduled in a year to see if his situation improved.
This case shows how Arizona courts balance fairness and responsibility. They expect you to try your best, but they also recognize when circumstances are truly beyond your control.
If you lose your job or your income drops, don’t wait to ask for help. Support orders don’t change automatically, and you’re still responsible for the full amount until the court says otherwise. The sooner you file, the sooner the court can adjust your payments. If you keep paying what you can and document your efforts, the court is more likely to see you as responsible and reasonable.
It’s also important to be honest. If you hide income, work under the table, or exaggerate your hardship, the court can deny your request or even increase your payments. Judges have seen every trick in the book, and they rely on evidence, not excuses.
Support modifications aren’t just for payers. If your ex gets a big raise, wins the lottery, or starts a successful business, you can ask the court to increase support. The process is the same: show the change, explain why it matters, and provide evidence. In 2024, Maricopa County courts granted 22% of support increases based on the other parent’s higher income.
Many people believe that quitting a job or taking a lower-paying job will automatically lower their support payments. In reality, Arizona courts look closely at your reasons. If you left your job to avoid paying support, the court can keep your payments the same or even increase them. Another myth is that modifications take years. While some cases are complex, most are resolved in three to six months, especially if you provide clear evidence and work with an experienced attorney.
Some think that only child support can be modified, but spousal maintenance can also be changed if your financial situation changes significantly. The key is to act quickly, provide proof, and be honest about your circumstances.
Support modifications are about fairness, not punishment. Life changes, and Arizona law gives you a way to adjust your obligations or receive more help when you need it. The process can be stressful, but with the right evidence and guidance, you can achieve a result that works for everyone, especially your children.
At Moon Law Firm, we help clients navigate these changes with compassion and expertise. We’ll help you gather the right documents, present your case clearly, and work toward a fair outcome. If you’re facing a job loss or income change, don’t wait—contact us today to protect your financial future and your family’s well-being.
Sources:
Arizona Revised Statutes §§25-327, 25-503; Maricopa County Superior Court (2024–2025); Arizona Judicial Branch; U.S. Census Bureau.
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