Lead Fathers’ Rights Attorney
Jeff Bacon is an Oklahoma family law attorney handling child support modifications for fathers across the Oklahoma City metro. His practice covers post-job-loss filings, parenting-time-driven recalculations, modification defense, and the strategic timing that protects fathers in Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian, and Logan counties.
Oklahoma Bar Association #33721
An Oklahoma child support order is a snapshot — of one parent’s income, the other parent’s income, and the parenting time arrangement on the day the order was entered. Real life keeps moving. Jobs end. Incomes shift. Parenting time changes. Oklahoma allows child support to be modified when those changes are material — but you have to file. Support continues to accrue at the old rate until a motion to modify is on file.
Modifying support is governed by the same Income Shares framework under 43 O.S. §§ 118 through 118I. The standard is generally a material change in circumstances — typically defined as a change that would produce a different support amount of a meaningful percentage (commonly 20%).
This is the single most important practical point: Oklahoma child support generally cannot be modified retroactively earlier than the date of the motion to modify. If you lost your job two months ago and have not filed, the old support number is still accruing — and may be collectible as arrears later even if your income is gone.
The takeaway: file promptly when circumstances change. Even if the situation later resolves, the motion preserves the option.
The obligor parent loses employment. The motion documents the loss, current job search efforts, and any unemployment income. Imputation comes into play — the court considers earning capacity, not just current income — but legitimate involuntary job loss is meaningfully recognized.
If the receiving parent’s income has gone up significantly, support may decrease. If the obligor’s income has gone up, support may increase. The math runs both ways.
If you have negotiated or litigated a schedule that takes you across 121 overnights per year, that change can support a substantial reduction. We frequently combine visitation modifications and support modifications in coordinated filings.
"Mr. Bacon’s strength of character—his respect, steadfastness, and dedication—set him apart as truly invaluable.
Under an impossible timeline and amid immense pressure, he provided me with the legal representation I not only needed but deserved. His actions remind me that courage and integrity can prevail, even in the most trying of circumstances."
If the other parent is seeking to increase your support, the defense focuses on:
If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income — assigning earning capacity based on education, work history, and the local job market. Imputation can be a tool for or against you depending on the case. We help fathers navigate both sides.
Dads.Law handles child support modifications for OKC fathers — on offense and defense.
We respond fast to job loss and income change so the clock stops at the right moment.
Modifications are an opportunity to scrutinize the other parent’s income, not just yours.
When parenting time is shifting, we coordinate the support modification with the visitation work that drives it.
We tell you straight what realistic modification outcomes look like before you spend on a motion that will not move the needle.
Generally, no. A new spouse’s income is not included in the child support calculation. However, a new spouse can affect the tax bracket or household expenses, which might have indirect effects. Conversely, if you have a new child with a new spouse, you may be eligible for a “hardship deduction” or a credit for other children in your home during a modification.
No. You must continue paying the currently ordered amount until a judge signs a new order. If you stop paying, you risk being held in contempt of court. However, once the new order is signed, you may get credit for any overpayments made during the waiting period.
The cost varies based on whether the other parent agrees to the change. An “agreed modification” is relatively quick and affordable. A contested modification, where the other parent fights the reduction, requires more legal work. However, the cost of an attorney is often far less than the cost of overpaying support for the next 10 years.
Oklahoma law allows for income averaging (usually over the last 3-5 years) for self-employed individuals. We help you present a clear picture of your average income to avoid a support order based on one unusually profitable year.
