Review and Adjustment

The Review and Adjustment process, also known as the Modification process, is the method by which the child support obligation is reviewed to reflect the current financial situation of both parties. The Review and Adjustment process takes several months to complete from the initial request to final Order.

Reasons to Qualify for a Modification Review:      

• All cases may be reviewed provided thirty six (36) months have elapsed since the establishment of the order or since the last modification review.

Here are a few special reasons a case MAY qualify for a Modification Review sooner than 36 months:  (These are listed on the  Review of Child Support Order request form ~click to download.)

In the following instances the requesting party MUST provide the verification documentation:

• Obligor/Obligee is now employed or is more gainfully employed

• Verified loss of employment of either party which was beyond their control.

• Verified unemployment due to a plant closing or mass layoff.

• Verified disability of either party.

• Verified institutionalization of either party beyond the child’s minority age

• Verified incarceration of either party beyond the child’s minority age.

• Verified thirty percent (30%) change in gross income of either party.

• One or more children have emancipated.

• To assess availability of health insurance.

• Verified increase or decrease in the cost of health insurance and/or child care which will result in a change of more than ten percent (10%) of the child support order.

• The Obligor may request if he is a member of the uniformed services in active service for more than thirty days.

• Specified Social Security Benefits (Example: Permanent Disability). Certain types of Social Security Benefits may or may not be counted as income.

• Intergovernmental cases may have different criteria; please contact your Child Support Case Manager and advise that one or both parties on the order reside out of state.

• Review may be dismissed if information is not returned by the specified date. Website for the Ohio Support Guidelines in the ORC is: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3119TM

Results of the Review:

** CSEA cannot predict the result of your modification.  Once a modification is completed CSEA must adjust all records to reflect the results.  However, if you do not agree with the results you may object and request a hearing.  

VIE                       NOTENNNR

Note:

 The Review and Adjustment process does not permit adjustments of provisions of the order such as tax exemptions, visitation, non- court ordered change of custody, responsibilities for the care of the child, or spousal support.  Arrearage orders are not subject to the administrative review process.