JDF 1403 Motion to Modify Child Support: How to Complete It

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. GoFile is not a law firm. Using our platform or reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice for your specific situation, consult a licensed Colorado attorney.

JDF 1403 is Colorado’s Motion to Modify Child Support. It asks the court to change an existing child support order. The Judicial Branch lists it as the form used when the parents do not agree on the change. This guide walks through the current form section by section. It also covers what is filed and served with it, and the deadlines printed on the form. For the full sequence of steps, see the child support modification process guide.

What JDF 1403 is and when it is used

The motion is filed in an existing case that already has a child support order. The form states that it is filed under C.R.S. § 14-10-122, the statute on modifying support.

The Judicial Branch’s instructions (JDF 1403i) describe the legal standard. A modification requires a “substantial and continuing” change in circumstances. The instructions say the change must amount to at least a 10% increase or decrease in the current order. They give two examples:

• A permanent, significant increase or decrease in either party’s income.
• The emancipation of one child when support is ordered for two or more children.

The instructions add that a modification can also be requested when the current order has no provision for medical or dental support. They also state that added expenses, such as a new car or house, do not qualify. The eligibility guide explains these rules in more detail.

The official Change Child Support page describes two paths. It says JDF 1403 is “filed when a parent disagrees with the change.” It lists JDF 1404, the Stipulation Regarding Child Support Modification, for when both parents agree. Stipulation vs. motion compares the two.

What to gather

• Your case number, division and courtroom from the existing order.
• The county and address of the court that entered that order.
• Current contact details and dates of birth for both parties.
• Each child’s name, address, sex and date of birth.
• The overnights each parent has under the current order.
• The current support amount, who pays it and how often.
• Whether the order covers medical insurance, and what that coverage costs.
• Facts and dates describing what has changed since the order.
• Your income and expense records for JDF 1111, the Sworn Financial Statement.

Section-by-section walk-through

The headings below follow the current official form, JDF 1403 (R: September 3, 2020).

Caption and opening statement

The caption names the county court, the parties, and the case number, division and courtroom. The instructions note that your role in the case does not change based on who files. If you were the Respondent in the original case, you remain the Respondent. You then check whether you are the Petitioner or the Respondent (or Co-Petitioner).

The top of the form also carries two notes. The responding party has 21 days from the service date to file a written response (JDF 1315). Both parties are to provide JDF 1111 and JDF 1104 within 42 days of the service date.

1. Certificate of Conferral

You state whether you checked with the other party and whether they agree, disagree, or did not respond.

2–3. Information about Petitioner and Respondent

Each party’s date of birth, mailing address, phone numbers and email.

4. Children

The number of minor children, with each child’s name, address, sex and date of birth.

5–7. The current support order

Item 5 asks for each parent’s overnights per year under the current order. Item 6 asks who pays support, how much and how often. Item 7 asks whether the order provides for medical insurance and, if so, its cost.

8. Sworn Financial Statement

You check whether a current JDF 1111 is attached. The form says that if it is not, one must be filed within 42 days.

9. Reasons for the Change

This is the main narrative section. You check the changes that apply: day care costs, amount of income, parenting time, place of residence, child emancipation, medical insurance coverage, or other. The form then states your belief that these would change the payment by at least 10%. You explain the change in your own words. The instructions call it “very important” to describe the change in circumstances.

10. Proposed worksheet

You state whether a proposed child support worksheet is attached and, if so, the proposed payment and frequency. The worksheet now in use is the unified Support Worksheet, JDF 1821 (R: March 2026). The instructions note that you may not be able to complete it before filing without the other party’s financial information.

11–13. Other states, enforcement services and public assistance

Whether either parent lives in another state, and which one. Whether either party receives child support enforcement services, and in which county. Whether either party receives public assistance, with the county or state and case number.

14. Tax exemption change

An optional box to request a change in the tax exemption for the children, under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(12).

15–16. Signature and Certificate of Service

You print your name, sign and date. Two boxes confirm whether you only filled in blanks or changed the form’s wording. The Certificate of Service records the date and method you sent a copy: hand delivery, Colorado Courts E-Filing, fax or mail. A box confirms that a copy went to the Child Support Enforcement Unit. The form says that copy is required when the unit is involved.

What is filed with it

The instructions list these forms around a motion to modify:

• JDF 1111, Sworn Financial Statement, from each party, with JDF 1111-SS only if needed.
• JDF 1104, Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Financial Disclosures, from each party.
• The Support Worksheet, JDF 1821, completed with the Judicial Branch’s support calculator, with a Certificate of Service (JDF 1313).
• JDF 1405, Order re: Modification of Child Support, and JDF 1117, Support Order, where the county requires proposed orders. Only the caption is completed. Both are on the official Change Child Support page.
• JDF 1315, Response to Motion, which the other party may file.

Before March 1, 2026, the worksheet was Worksheet A or Worksheet B. HB 25-1159 replaced both with one worksheet on that date. How HB 25-1159 changed child support explains the change.

Filing notes

• Which court. The motion goes to the court that entered the original order, in the same case.
• E-filing or paper. Self-represented parties can file through Colorado Courts E-Filing in domestic relations cases, or file at the clerk’s office.
• Fees. The official fee list shows $105 for a motion to modify a decree or final order. E-filing adds a separate per-filing fee.
• Fee waiver. JDF 205, Motion to Waive Fees, asks the court to waive its fees. The Judicial Branch says fee waivers in family cases are filed in person or by mail.
• Service. A copy goes to every party, and to the County Office of Child Support Services when it is involved. The instructions say a motion without a completed Certificate of Service may be rejected.
• Address. If your address changed since the case began, the instructions ask you to give the court your current address in writing.
• After filing. The court may decide on the papers or set a hearing, and may require mediation or a status conference. Timing depends on the district. What happens at a modification hearing covers the hearing stage.
• Income assignment. The instructions note that a changed support amount also means updating any income assignment.

Common mistakes

• Switching roles. Listing yourself as Petitioner because you are filing, when you were the Respondent in the original case.
• A new case number. The motion is filed in the existing case, under its existing number.
• A thin Section 9. Checking boxes without describing the change, its dates and why it is continuing.
• A superseded worksheet. Attaching Worksheet A or B, which were replaced on March 1, 2026.
• A blank Certificate of Service. Leaving out the date or method of service, or not sending a copy to Child Support Services when it is involved.
• Missing the 42-day items. Forgetting that JDF 1111 and JDF 1104 follow within 42 days of service.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a substantial and continuing change?

The Judicial Branch’s instructions say the change must amount to at least a 10% increase or decrease in the current order. The official Change Child Support page describes a continuing change as more than temporary. A permanent income change and one child’s emancipation are the examples the instructions give.

Can a modification apply back to the filing date?

The instructions say a modified amount can be applied retroactively to the date the motion was filed. Whether and how that applies is up to the court. Retroactive child support modification covers the rule.

What happens if the other parent does not respond?

JDF 1403 gives the responding party 21 days from service to file a written response, JDF 1315. The court then reviews the matter. It may decide on the documents or set a hearing.

Is the form changing because of HB 25-1159?

The current JDF 1403 is dated September 3, 2020, and item 5 still asks for overnights. What changed on March 1, 2026 is the worksheet used to calculate support, now JDF 1821.

For related guides, see the Colorado child support hub and the full list of Colorado form guides.

Prepare JDF 1403 with GoFile

GoFile fills in JDF 1403 and the other forms in a Colorado child support modification from your answers, at your direction. One document set is $199, or $39 a month on the Monthly plan. Court fees are separate. See pricing.