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Texas lets you ask the court to change an existing child-support or custody (conservatorship and possession) order, but only if you meet the statutory grounds. This tool screens those grounds so you can see whether you likely qualify before filing. It covers both child support and custody, which have different tests under Texas Family Code Chapter 156.
For child support, you generally qualify if the circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the order, or — separately — if it has been at least three years and the ordered amount differs from today's guideline amount by 20% or $100. For custody or possession, a change must be in the child's best interest, plus a ground such as a material change, a child 12 or older expressing a preference, or the primary conservator voluntarily giving up care for six months or more.
You can seek modification if circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the order, or if it's been at least three years and the ordered amount is off from today's guideline by 20% or $100. Our tool checks both tests.
A modification must be in the child's best interest, plus a qualifying ground — a material and substantial change, a child 12 or older stating a preference to the court, or the primary conservator voluntarily relinquishing primary care for six months or more.
A significant change in circumstances since the last order — for example, a big change in income, a move, remarriage, or a change in the child's needs. Meeting it lets you file; the court decides whether to modify.
Yes — separately from the material-change test, you can seek modification if three years have passed and the ordered amount differs from the current guideline amount by 20% or $100. Run our Texas child support calculator to find today's guideline figure.
No. Meeting a statutory ground lets you file; the court then decides whether a modification is warranted, based on the child's best interest and the facts.
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