Most people know to go to court when they think they are entitled to an increase in child support. But there is another quicker and easier way. The Support Collections Unit (SCU) can apply a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
If the current Order is at least two years old, then the required payment can be adjusted upward for inflation. Although this is usually a modest addition, it can still make a big difference to keep up with the rising costs of everything.
But What if I am the One Paying and Don’t Want an To Pay an Increase?
The person paying the child support will receive notification of the proposed COLA increase. They will then have thirty-five (35) days to ‘object’ to it. An ‘objection’ stops the increase from automatically happening. The Judge will then hold a hearing to determine whether the COLA should go through.
Are There Any Risks?
Yes. There is one significant risk. If the person’s income who is paying the support has gone down since the existing Order was issued, then it is possible that the amount being paid could actually be reduced at the ‘objection’ hearing.
Thus, unless you are sure that the person’s income who is paying has not gone down, do not request the COLA.
