How long does a parent have to contest a child support order?

A parent in California has the right to contest a child support order. However, the parent will only have a limited amount of time to do so. Generally, a parent has up to four years from the date that the order was made to challenge it in court. After this period of time, the order is considered “final” and will stand. If a parent believes that the child support order should be changed, they can take legal action to file a request for modification. Generally, the court will only consider a modification if the parent can demonstrate that a “change of circumstances” has occurred since the order was made. Examples of a change in circumstances might include a significant increase in income, an unexpected medical condition, or an increase in the cost of living. If the court agrees that a change of circumstances has occurred, the court will modify the order. If the court decides that the parent does not have a valid reason for contesting the order, the order will remain the same. It is important for parents to remember that filing a request for a modification does not guarantee that the order will be changed, and it is important to act promptly when filing an appeal.

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How long does a parent have to contest a child support order?

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