What Factors Determine Child Support Adjustments?
In South Carolina, child support decisions are guided by the principle that both parents share financial responsibility for their child. When circumstances change significantly, courts may adjust the original support order.
However, adjustments aren’t automatic—they must be justified by clear, measurable changes that affect a parent’s ability to provide for a child’s financial needs.
At Duncan and Nobles LLC in Rock Hill, South Carolina, we can provide you with the knowledge and guidance for your family law case. Here's what you need to know about what key factors determine child support adjustments in South Carolina.
Child Support Orders in South Carolina
Before looking at adjustments, it’s important to understand how child support is initially determined. In South Carolina, the family court uses the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines consider each parent’s income, the number of children, and other costs such as health insurance and childcare.
Once a support order is issued, it remains in place unless one or both parents formally request a modification. Informal agreements between parents to change payment amounts are not legally binding.
Substantial Change in Circumstances
The most important standard for any adjustment is whether a substantial change in circumstances has occurred. This is the primary basis for child support modifications under South Carolina family law.
A substantial change is one that significantly affects either parent’s financial situation or the child’s needs. It must be more than minor or temporary. Courts examine the facts of each case to determine whether the change warrants a revised support amount.
Common examples of substantial changes include:
Loss of a job or significant change in income
A parent’s disability or long-term illness
A change in custody arrangements
Increased medical or educational expenses for the child
The emancipation of a child
Not every change will qualify. The court expects parents to provide documentation that supports their claims and explains why the adjustment is necessary.
Income Changes and Financial Shifts
One of the most common reasons for adjusting child support is a change in income. This applies whether the paying parent receives a substantial raise or experiences a major pay cut.
The court reviews both parents’ incomes as part of the recalculation. If one parent earns significantly more or less than when the original order was set, the support amount may be changed.
A few financial changes that may justify an adjustment include:
Promotion or salary increase
Job loss or demotion
Change in employment status (e.g., from full-time to part-time)
Self-employment income shifts
Long-term unemployment due to circumstances beyond the parent’s control
Parents requesting a change must show reliable documentation, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or termination notices.
Custody and Parenting Time Adjustments
Changes in custody or parenting time can also affect child support obligations. If the child begins spending significantly more time with one parent, the court may adjust the support order to reflect the new arrangement.
South Carolina’s family law system considers the actual number of overnight stays the child has with each parent when calculating support. If parenting time changes from a sole custody arrangement to joint or shared custody, it could influence both the financial obligation and who pays support.
Medical and Educational Needs of the Child
A child’s financial needs may increase over time due to changes in health or education. Courts may adjust child support to account for rising costs when those changes are significant and well documented.
Increases in the following categories may qualify:
Medical treatments for chronic conditions or injuries
Therapy, counseling, or psychological services
Special education or learning support programs
Private school tuition or educational travel needs
In these situations, the parent requesting an adjustment must demonstrate that the costs are necessary and that their share of the expenses should be recalculated.
Changes in the Paying Parent’s Obligations
In some cases, a parent may seek a reduction in child support due to increased financial responsibilities that weren’t present at the time of the original order. This could include:
The birth or adoption of another child
Required alimony payments
High medical bills or disability-related expenses
These new obligations may be considered if they substantially impact the parent’s ability to meet the existing child support amount. However, the court will also prioritize the child’s well-being and the continued need for consistent financial support.
Cost of Living and Economic Conditions
Although not always sufficient on their own, economic shifts may support a request for adjustment. Inflation, rising housing costs, and changes in the local job market can influence a parent’s financial capacity.
Still, the court typically requires more than a general increase in living costs. The parent requesting the change must show how these broader conditions have directly affected their financial situation.
Emancipation or Aging Out
Child support typically ends when the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in South Carolina unless the child is still in high school. In that case, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.
If the child becomes legally emancipated—through marriage, military service, or another recognized status—child support may end earlier.
Legal Process for Requesting an Adjustment
In South Carolina, either parent can request a child support modification by filing a motion with the family court. The motion must include details about the change in circumstances and provide supporting documents.
Once the motion is filed, the court may schedule a hearing. At the hearing, both parents can present evidence, including:
Financial documents
Medical or educational records
Custody agreements or visitation schedules
The judge will review the information and make a decision based on the child’s best interests and current family law guidelines.
Temporary vs. Permanent Adjustments
In some cases, adjustments may be temporary. For example, if a parent becomes unemployed but expects to return to work within a few months, the court might reduce support temporarily and schedule a follow-up review.
Permanent adjustments are issued when a long-term change is confirmed. This might include a permanent disability or a major shift in parenting time.
Best Interests of the Child
Throughout the adjustment process, the court keeps the child’s best interests as the central concern. While either parent’s financial burden is important, the court weighs those concerns against the need for stability and adequate support for the child.
Family law in South Carolina places a strong emphasis on maintaining consistent care and financial support. Judges are cautious about modifying orders unless the new arrangement serves the child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs.
Documentation Required for Support Modifications
Accurate and complete documentation is essential in any support adjustment case. Parents must be prepared to show:
Recent pay stubs or tax returns
Employment records or termination notices
Receipts for medical or educational expenses
Custody schedules or court orders
Letters from doctors, schools, or therapists (if applicable)
The court uses this information to determine whether the claimed change is both real and substantial. Inaccurate or incomplete submissions may lead to delays or denial of the request.
How Often Can Support Be Reviewed?
There’s no specific limit on how often a parent can request a review, but courts discourage repeated filings without valid new circumstances. A good rule of thumb is to request a review when a substantial change has occurred and at least one year has passed since the last order.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) may also conduct periodic reviews of support orders, especially if they’re enforcing the order through their child support enforcement program.
Reach Out to a Family Law Attorney Today
Child support adjustments in South Carolina depend on a careful review of substantial, documented changes in circumstances. Located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, we serve clients throughout Chester County and Lancaster County. Contact Duncan and Nobles LLC today to schedule a consultation and get started with the legal representation your case requires.