
Quoting
Substantial and Continuing Change of Circumstances.
Before a child support order may be modified in Indiana, it is necessary for a party to demonstrate a substantial and continuing change in circumstances that makes the present order unreasonable or that the amount of support ordered at least twelve (12) months earlier differs from the Guideline amount presently computed by more than twenty percent (20%), see IC 31‑16‑8‑1 regarding dissolution of marriage actions or I.C. 31-14-11-8 regarding paternity actions. A change in circumstances may include a change in the income of the parents, the application of a parenting plan, the failure to comply with a parenting plan or a changes in the expenses of child rearing specifically considered in the Guidelines.
If the amount of support computed at the time of modification is significantly higher or significantly lower than that previously ordered and would require a drastic reduction in a parent’s standard of living, consideration may be given to phasing in the change in support. This approach would allow the parent affected by the change time to make adjustments in his or her standard of living. Again, it is not the intent of the Guidelines to drive the parents into noncompliance by reducing their spendable income below subsistence level.