Change an Existing South Carolina Family Court Order

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A South Carolina family court order is not permanent, but changing one is its own filing in the 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 South Carolina publishes for this.

Official South Carolina modification resources

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South Carolina family law forms (official index) (South Carolina judicial branch): The official statewide collection of South Carolina family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.sccourts.org/forms

South Carolina financial affidavit and disclosure forms (sccourts.org): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most South Carolina family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.sccourts.org/forms/

South Carolina child support guideline resources (sccourts.org): Official South Carolina child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/child-support-calculator/

South Carolina court self-help resources (South Carolina courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own South Carolina family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.sclegal.org

SC Judicial Branch E-Filing (SC Judicial Branch): South Carolina's e-filing is for licensed attorneys only, and Family Court uses a separate attorney-only portal. If you are representing yourself, file your papers on paper with the Clerk of Court in your county. https://www.sccourts.org/e-filing-for-attorneys/

Verified official South Carolina modification documents

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

Complaint to Decrease Child Support (Self-Represented) (SCCA400.21), form SCCA400.21SRL-CSM (Modification), official document: https://sccourts.org/media/forms/pdf/SCCA400.21SRL-CSM.pdf

Official link data for South Carolina 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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina?

Divorce filing fee: ~$150. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.