Child support orders are meant to give children stability, but life does not stand still after a divorce. A parent in Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, or elsewhere in Tarrant County may face a job change, a major shift in income, or new expenses for a child. When that happens, the existing child support order may stop reflecting reality.

Can child support be modified in Tarrant County? Sometimes, yes. A court may modify support when the legal requirements are met. But a change in income, or an informal deal between parents, does not change a court order on its own.

When Texas Allows a Modification

Under Texas Family Code Section 156.401, a court may modify an existing order when one of the legal standards is met. Generally, a parent may seek a change if:

• There has been a material and substantial change in circumstances affecting the child or a person affected by the order, since the date of the prior order or underlying agreement.

• At least three years have passed, and the guideline amount differs enough. The current order must generally differ by at least 20% or $100 from the guideline amount.

Exceptions apply, and meeting a standard does not guarantee a particular result.

Orders Reached Through Collaboration

Many Colleyville parents settle support through collaborative divorce, where both sides work with their own attorneys toward a negotiated agreement. A negotiated amount can be a good fit when the order is made. If parents agreed to an amount that differs from the guideline amount, however, the rules for modifying that order can be more restrictive.

That is a reason to understand an agreement fully before signing it. For more on structuring support so it holds up, see Child Support Agreements That Work. If you are weighing negotiation options, this comparison of mediation and collaborative divorce in Colleyville can help.

Changes That Commonly Prompt a Request

Income changes. A job loss, a reduction in hours, a promotion, or a shift in business earnings may be relevant. Owners and the self-employed should read about how a business is treated in a Colleyville divorce, since business income can complicate support questions. Temporary setbacks and voluntary career changes do not automatically qualify.

Military service. Deployments, relocations, and changes in pay can all affect a family's finances. See military divorce and collaborative options in Colleyville for more on how service affects family-law decisions.

Higher child expenses. Medical care, health insurance, and educational needs may grow over time. Records showing the change help the court assess it.

New living arrangements. Changes in where a child lives are separate from child support. Texas law states that joint conservatorship alone is not grounds to modify support.

Does Moving Change Child Support or the Court?

Moving from Colleyville to Grapevine, or across the county line into Denton County, does not automatically change a support order. The question is whether the move changes circumstances in a way that meets the legal standard. The court that issued the order generally keeps an important role, subject to the jurisdictional rules, so do not assume a move means a new court. Families on that side of the line may also want to read about collaborative divorce in Denton County.

A Private Agreement Is Not a Court Order

Parents can agree on a different amount, but until the order is legally modified, the original order generally stays in effect. A parent who pays less based on an informal arrangement may face enforcement for unpaid support. Agreements should go through the proper legal process.

Timing Matters

Under Section 156.401, a modified amount generally applies only to support accruing after the earlier of service of citation or an appearance in the modification suit, subject to exceptions. A later order will not automatically erase support that built up before you filed, so it helps to seek advice promptly.

What to Gather First

• The current court order and any earlier modifications

• Recent pay statements and tax returns

• Records of a change in earnings or employment

• Medical, insurance, and other child-related expense records

• Records showing when the change occurred

Child Support Modification FAQs

Can I stop paying support if I lose my job?

No. Losing a job does not suspend an order. Keep following it until it is legally changed, and explore a modification promptly.

Does equal parenting time reduce child support?

Not automatically. Joint conservatorship alone is not grounds for modification.

How often can support be modified?

There is no fixed limit, but the legal standards must be met each time, and the guideline-based route generally requires three years since the order was rendered or last modified.

Talk With an Attorney Before You Change Anything

Kate Smith is a Master Credentialed Collaborative Lawyer, and she was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for Collaborative Law: Family Law. Book a consultation to review your order and your options, or call 817-479-0534.