Change an Existing Massachusetts Family Court Order

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A Massachusetts family court order is not permanent, but changing one is its own filing in the Probate and Family Court, normally inside the case that produced the original order.

Courts generally want to see that something real has changed since the last order, not simply that you have changed your mind. For support, an updated financial affidavit almost always rides along with the request. The official documents below are what Massachusetts publishes for this.

Official Massachusetts modification resources

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Massachusetts family law forms (official index) (Massachusetts judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Massachusetts family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mass.gov/lists/probate-and-family-court-forms

Massachusetts financial affidavit and disclosure forms (mass.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Massachusetts family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/financial-statement-forms-probate-and-family-court

Massachusetts child support guideline resources (mass.gov): Official Massachusetts child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.mass.gov/child-support-guidelines

Massachusetts court self-help resources (Massachusetts courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Massachusetts family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mass.gov/topics/family-law

eFileMA (Tyler Technologies): eFileMA is live in every Probate and Family Court division, 24 hours a day. E-filing is required for attorneys but optional for people without a lawyer, so you can always paper file instead. https://www.efilema.com/

Verified official Massachusetts modification documents

These official documents are used to ask a Massachusetts court to change an order that already exists.

Motion (Probate and Family Court) (CJD 400), form CJD 400 (Modification), official document: https://www.mass.gov/doc/courts-dwnld-motion-cjd-400/download

Official link data for Massachusetts was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Do I start a new case to change my order?

Usually not. A modification is normally filed inside the existing case, and the other parent has to be served with it. Check the official Massachusetts instructions above for how this state handles it.

What counts as enough of a change?

Courts look for a real, lasting change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, a move, or a serious change in the child's needs. The judge decides whether your facts clear the bar.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Massachusetts?

Divorce filing fee: ~$200-$215. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.