1
A Guide to
Child Support &
Spousal Maintenance
Cost-of-Living
Adjustments
Revised September 2014
OFFICE ON THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN (OESW)
95 STATE OFFICE BUILDING
100 REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BOULEVARD
ST. PAUL, MN 55155
[email protected] 651.296.0711
The information contained in this document is also available on our website
http://www.oesw.leg.mn/
ThisdocumentismadeavailableelectronicallybytheMinnesotaLegislativeReferenceLibrary
aspartofanongoingdigitalarchivingproject.http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl.asp
How Do I Use This Packet?
The purpose of this packet is to help obtain a cost-of-living adjustment to a child support or spousal maintenance
order. This packet contains information about the cost-of-living adjustment process as well as the necessary forms
to complete. These include the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form, the Letter of Notification Form, and Affidavit of
Service by Mail Form. The forms provided in this packet should only be used for court orders that were issued
in the state of Minnesota. If your divorce or child support order is from another state, you cannot use this packet.
There is a separate section containing all necessary forms. A new section is indicated by a section divider page.
The “Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form” and the “Letter of Notification” each have associated Worksheets that
will help you to prepare for completing the blank forms (provided). There will be an example of a correctly
completed Worksheet for each of these. The examples are meant to be a reference tool for completing each
Worksheet.
0
Contents
Overview of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Process
Cost of Living Adjustments in Child Support/Spousal Maintenance Orders ............................. 2
Frequently Asked Questions: Cost-of-Living Adjustments ........................................................ 3
Cost of Living Adjustment Checklist ......................................................................................... 7
Calculating Your Cost-of-Living Adjustment ............................................................................ 9
Example: Jane Doe’s Story ....................................................................................................... 10
Example Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet ............................................................ 11
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet ........................................................................... 15
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Forms ............................................................................................ 19
Example Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form .............................................................................. 20
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form ............................................................................................. 22
Example Letter of Notification ................................................................................................. 24
Letter of Notification ................................................................................................................ 25
Example Affidavit of Service by Mail ...................................................................................... 26
Affidavit of Service by Mail ..................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A: Further Information on Adjustments ................................................................ 28
Appendix B: Supporting Materials & Resources
Sources of Information ............................................................................................................. 32
Cost-of-Living Adjustments in Maintenance or Child Support Orders--Minnesota’s Law ..... 34
An Overview of the
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Process
2
Cost-of-Living Adjustments in
Child Support/Spousal Maintenance Orders
DO NOT USE This Packet If
The county is collecting child support on your behalf:
If the county child support office is collecting child support for you, that office will take care of
calculating the biennial cost-of-living adjustment from the person who pays your child support.
The county will do this adjustment in May, regardless of the dates of your original child support
and/or spousal maintenance orders. You will not need to complete the forms provided in this
packet.
When You SHOULD Use This Packet
If your child support and/or spousal maintenance order states you are entitled to automatic
adjustments, these adjustments do NOT occur automatically:
Your child support/spousal maintenance order may include language that states you are entitled
to an “automatic” cost-of-living adjustment every two years; however the adjustment does not
happen automatically.
If you receive child support and/or spousal maintenance and these payments ARE NOT
collected for you by the county, you must:Determine the cost-of-living adjustment.
File your cost-of-living adjustment by completing the three forms which are contained in
this packet: Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form, Letter of Notification, and Affidavit of
Service by Mail.
Notify the person who pays the child support/spousal maintenance about the adjusted
amount and when it is to take effect. (See page 6 for how to do this.)
File the original forms in this packet with the court where your child support or divorce
decree was finalized, accompanied by the appropriate filing fee.
Send copies of the forms to the employer of the person who pays your child
support/spousal maintenance indicating the new amount of the withholding, if the support
or maintenance is paid to you directly by the employer.
This process may be completed in any month as long as it has been at least two years
since the last adjustment. If it has been more than two years since the last adjustment or
modification, you can compute the adjustment for a period of more than two years.
If the county is ONLY collecting spousal maintenance on your behalf you must:
Determine the cost-of-living adjustment.
File your cost-of-living adjustment by completing the three forms which are contained in
this packet: Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form, Letter of Notification, and Affidavit of
Service by Mail.
Notify the person who pays the child support/spousal maintenance about the adjusted
amount and when it is to take effect. (See page 6 for how to do this.)
File the original forms in this packet and the appropriate filing fee with the court where
your divorce decree was finalized.
3
File copies of the completed forms with the Child Support Enforcement Office in the
county where the payments are sent.
Send copies of the forms to the employer of the person who pays your spousal
maintenance indicating the new amount of the withholding, if the maintenance is paid to
you directly by the employer.
This process may be completed in any month as long as it
has been at least two years since the last adjustment. If it
has been more than two years since the last adjustment or
modification, you can compute the adjustment for a period
of more than two years.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cost-of-Living Adjustments
What is a cost-of-living adjustment?
Are you eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment?
When should you file for the adjustment?
How is the amount determined?
Where do you file these papers?
What is your filing fee?
What is a modification of child support?
What is a cost-of-living adjustment?
Most child support orders issued in Minnesota since August 1, 1983, have included a
requirement that the child support amount be adjusted every two years based on changes in the
cost of living. The cost-of-living adjustment reflects the change in cost of items such as food,
clothing, housing, etc.
Cost-of-living adjustments are designed to help you keep up with inflation--to recognize that the
costs of caring for your children today are higher than they were when your child support was
established. Because of inflation, clothing and food cost more today than when the child support
was established, and because inflation rates can fluctuate significantly, it is important to keep
cost-of-living adjustments up to date.
4
Are you eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment?
You should check your child support/spousal maintenance order to see if it provides for a cost-
of-living adjustment. Usually this information appears in Appendix A of the order or divorce
decree.
If there is no reference to a cost-of-living adjustment in your child support/spousal maintenance
order, you must first go through the process of adding this provision. If you receive child
support or both child support and spousal maintenance, ask the Child Support Enforcement
Office in your county for help. For more information about contacting your Child Support
Enforcement Office, please see the “Child Support Enforcement Office” entry in “Sources of
Information” on page 28. This office does not provide assistance if you receive spousal
maintenance only. If you receive only spousal maintenance, you should talk to an attorney about
adding a cost-of-living adjustment provision to your order. For more information about talking
to an attorney, please see the “Legal Services” entry in “Sources of Information” on page 32.
When should you file for the cost-of-living adjustment?
Even though you are entitled to a cost-of-living adjustment every two years, you must request
the adjustment after two years have passed. Cost-of-living adjustments never happen
automatically for spousal maintenance. They happen automatically for child support only if the
county is collecting child support for you,
You can request a cost of living adjustment only every TWO years, not every year. If it has
been more than two years since the last adjustment or modification, you can compute the
adjustment for a period of more than two years. Court decisions have upheld the right to do so,
see Grachek v. Grachek, 750 NW.W.2d 328 (Minn. App. 2008).
How is the amount of the adjustment determined?
The adjustment you are entitled to is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is a
standard measure of the inflation rate and is determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. The
CPI typically uses what is known as a base year system to calculate the data you see on the CPI
Table. In a base year system, the CPI data is determined by breaking down various spending
areas from a specific year (the “base year”) and weighting the following years accordingly.
There are several base years used in different CPIs. The CPI table in this packet (p. 8), and the
CPI Table linked to through the OESW website use the year 1967 as the base year. It does not
matter which base year you use, but you must use the same base each time you calculate an
adjustment…and you must use the CPI Table for the base year you have chosen (E.g., a CPI
Table titled U.S. All Items, 1967=100 is using 1967 as the base year. A CPI Table titled U.S. All
items, 1982-84=100 is using 1982-1984 as the base years.) Unless your child support order or
divorce decree asks you to use a CPI table that calculates its numbers with a different base year,
it is sufficient to use a CPI table with a 1967 base year .
The CPI table (with 1967 as the base year) can be found on the OESW website at
http://www.oesw.leg.mn/cola/cpi.htm and a hard copy is included with this packet if you’ve
received it via US mail. This table lists two different CPIs. They are the monthly CPI-U and the
5
semi-annual MSP CPI-U. The “U” stands for “urban consumers” and “MSP” represents a
measure of the inflation rate specifically for the Minneapolis/St. Paul region.
If your child support order specifies which CPI to use, you must use the CPI indicated in
your order.
If your child support order does not specify which CPI you must use, select the
appropriate CPI for the region in which your Child Support Order or Divorce Decree was
issued:
o If your Child Support Order or Divorce Decree was issued outside of the
Minneapolis/St. Paul region, you will use the CPI-U.
o If your order was issued within the Minneapolis/St. Paul region you may choose
either the monthly CPI-U or the semi-annual MSP CPI-U to calculate the
adjustment, but you must be consistent with the index you use (e.g. both your
child support and spousal maintenance cost-of-living calculations must use the
monthly CPI-Us or both must use the semi-annual MSP CPI-Us). There is no
advantage to using one CPI over the other.
The appropriate CPI entries are chosen by selecting the entry closest to (but at or earlier than)??
the last modification or adjustment in your support or maintenance order and the entry closest to
(but at or earlier than)?? the current date.
Note: The MSP CPI is available only twice a year. The MSP CPI listed in the January column
of the table reflects July through December of the preceding year, and the MSP CPI listed in
the July column of the table reflects January through June of that year.
Where do you file these papers?
After completing the forms in this packet (Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form, Letter of
Notification, Affidavit of Service by Mail), you should make several copies of them.
1) Send all the original forms (Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form, Letter of Notification,
Affidavit of Service by Mail), accompanied by the appropriate filing fee, to the court where
your child support order or divorce decree was finalized, to be placed in your file. The Court
Administrator’s Office in that county can help you get the appropriate address. Please see
page 29 for more information about contacting a county’s Court Administrator’s Office.
2) Send copies of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form and the Letter of Notification to the
person responsible for paying child support/spousal maintenance.
3) Send copies of Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form and the Letter of Notification to the
employer if the person is paying you through his or her employer.
4) Send copies of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form and the Letter of Notification to the
county child support enforcement office, if you are receiving spousal maintenance only and
your ex-spouse sends the payments through the county.
5) Finally, be sure to keep copies of all the forms for your own records.
6
What is your filing fee?
Submitting a motion to the court requires the payment of a filing fee. Filing fees vary by the
type of motion, the court that the motion is made in, and the county that the court is in. For a list
of filing fees in Minnesota, see http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=1020 or consult the Court
Administrator. To waive the filing fee, consult a lawyer to determine your eligibility. Fee
waiver forms are available at http://www.mncourts.gov/default.aspx?page=513&category=56 .
(Further questions are answered in Appendix A)
7
Cost of Living Adjustment Checklist
If your child support/spousal maintenance order says you are entitled to a cost-of-living
adjustment and the county does not make the calculation for you, you must complete all of the
following items:
Step
Instructions
Completed
Calculate the amount of
adjustment you should
receive
Complete the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet
using the provided instructions and the CPI Table. Use the
completed worksheet to fill out the Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Form.
Notify the person who
pays the child
support/spousal
maintenance
You must send the person who pays you child support/spousal
maintenance a notice that it is time to raise the amount he or
she pays based on the cost-of-living adjustment. Use the
Letter of Notification Worksheet and instructions to do this.
Then fill out the Letter of Notification and send a copy of it
with a copy of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form to the
person who pays child support/spousal maintenance. You
must give the person at least 20 calendar days notice before
the date you expect to be paid the new amount. (The days of
notice are counted from the postmark date when you mail the
Letter of Notification and Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form to
the person. For example, if the adjustment is to be effective
August 1, the letter and notice must be postmarked by July
11??.) If you are being paid through an employer, send a set
of copies to the employer. If you receive spousal maintenance
payments through the county, send copies to the county.
(Note: if the employer pays the county, send to both.)
File the forms with the
court
You must file the original Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form,
the original Letter or Notification, and the original notarized
Affidavit of Service by Mail with the court administrator’s
office in the county where your child support/spousal
maintenance order was filed. Fill out the Affidavit of Service
by Mail, except for your signature. It has to be notarized
(witnessed) by a notary public. * Call the court administrator’s
office in the county where your child support/spousal
maintenance order was entered if you have questions about
where to mail the papers to the court so that they can be placed
in your file.
* The court may have a notary public available or you may find one at a local bank. Often, if
you use a notary public at the bank where your accounts are, there will be no fee. In Minnesota,
the fee for having a document notarized cannot exceed $1.00 (Minnesota Statutes Section
357.17) Some UPS stores provide notary public services—call the specific store first to confirm
they offer this service.
8
After submission of your proposed cost-of-living adjustment:
Either the adjustment will take effect or a hearing will be held. The person who pays you child
support/spousal maintenance has the right to file a motion asking that some or all of the proposed
cost-of-living adjustment not take effect. The motion will include a hearing date, time and
location. If the person who pays you has not had an increase in income over the past two years,
the court could decide not to require an adjustment. It is possible that the hearing will not occur
until sometime after the effective date you had requested. If the person who pays you does not
request a hearing, the new amount must be paid by the date you have specified. Otherwise, he or
she is in violation of the child support/maintenance order.
9
Calculating Your Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Example: Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet
Purpose: The worksheet is a tool that will assist you in gathering and completing the
information required to fill out the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form that will be submitted.
The following is an example of a correctly completed Worksheet. Once you complete the
Worksheet yourself, you will be able to use it to complete the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form.
1
1. Example: Jane Doe’s Story
2. Example: Calculating Your Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Worksheet
3. Calculating Your Cost-of-Living Adjustment Worksheet
Note: The completed Cost-of-Living Adjustment form and Letter of
Notification are not provided in this example. These forms would be
completed simply by transferring the answers from the worksheet in
to the appropriate blank on the corresponding form.
10
Example: Jane Doe’s Story
Purpose: This example describes the situation of Jane Doe, a fictional character. The example
is intended to illustrate how to use the provided forms and worksheets in order to obtain a cost-
of-living adjustment. Please read the facts carefully and then follow along as we go through
process of obtaining a cost-of-living adjustment. Note that your facts will differ.
Jane Doe’s Story: Jane Doe lives in the city of Walker, in Cass County. Jane Doe divorced
John Doe in July of 2006 in case # 000000. Jane obtained an order for spousal maintenance
dated July 21, 2006. The spousal maintenance order was issued in Ramsey County from the
County Court. They have no children and no child support was awarded. The Ramsey court is
in the Second Judicial District. The spousal maintenance order was part of the divorce settlement
and provides her $600.00 per month. She has never taken a cost-of-living adjustment.
It is now November of 2009 and more than two yearshave passed since the spousal maintenance
decree. Jane has decided to file for her first cost-of-living adjustment. Because her divorce
decree did not specify what Consumer Price Index (CPI) she needed to use, she elected to use the
1967 basis CPI-U table provided at the end of this packet. Once she has selected the CPI, she
must always use that CPI when calculating any future adjustments.
To use the CPI table she must find two entries, the first at the current year and month (November
of 2009) and the second at the year and month when her decree was issued (July of 2006). To
use the MSP CPI-U she would simply choose the entry that comes closest to but is at or earlier
than the target month. For November 2009, Jane would use the July 2009 entry on the MSP CPI-
U. With the two entries, Jane is ready to fill out the Cost-of-Living Adjustment worksheet.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Table
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
2008
CPI_U
MSP CPI-U
632.3
634.4
634.1
NA
639.6
NA
643.5
NA
648.9
NA
655.5
NA
658.9
654.5
656.3
NA
655.4
NA
648.8
NA
636.3
NA
629.8
NA
2009
CPI_U
MSP CPI-U
632.5
658.8
635.6
NA
637.2
NA
638.8
NA
640.6
NA
646.1
NA
645.1
647.9
646.5
NA
646.9
NA
647.6
NA
648.0
NA
NA
NA
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
2006
CPI-U
MSP CPI-U
593.9
609.4
595.2
NA
598.6
NA
603.5
NA
606.5
NA
607.8
NA
609.6
613.1
610.9
NA
607.9
NA
604.6
NA
603.6
NA
604.5
NA
2007
CPI-U
MSP CPI-U
606.3
619.9
609.6
NA
615.1
NA
619.1
NA
622.9
NA
624.1
NA
624.0
630.5
622.8
NA
624.5
NA
625.9
NA
629.6
NA
621.1
NA
11
Example Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet
Purpose: This is an example of how to complete the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form
worksheet using the fictional situation on the previous page.
All of the above information should be indicated
on your child support order or divorce decree.
The cost-of-living adjustment in child support or spousal maintenance requested in Step 7 below
has been calculated pursuant to Minn. Stat. 518A.75 and the Child Support Order/Spousal
Maintenance order dated July 21, 2006 (Fill in the date when your child support-spousal
maintenance order was final. This date should appear at the front of the order or divorce decree)
STEP 1.
Current child support or spousal maintenance order amount. $600.00/month
Please insert any previous adjustments or increases, if any
None
This amount is based on your child support order or divorce decree. Include any previous
adjustments or increases.
STEP 2.
Find the most recent CPI-U (available at http://www.oesw.leg.mn/cola/cpi.htm). Please see
STATE OF MINNESOTA
The name of the county your child support/spousal
maintenance order was issued
______________Ramsey___________________
The name of the court where your child
support/spousal maintenance was issued (this
should appear on your order as “County” or
“District” court)
______________County___________________
Judicial District __Second District_____________
Case # 000000
*Note: All of this information should be indicated
in your child support order or your divorce decree
In Re the Marriage of:
Jane Doe , Petitioner and
John Doe , Respondent
This section should be exactly the same as it
appears at the beginning of your child
support/spousal maintenance order. You may
have to change the final form. You may have to
cross out “In Re the Marriage of” if your child
support was not part of a divorce settlement.
You may have to change “Petitioner” to
“Plaintiff” and “Respondent” to “Defendant”
Use your child support/spousal maintenance as
your guide.
1
1
3
2
Jane Doe’s monthly
maintenance amount
Jane Doe has never filed for a cost-of-living adjustment and her maintenance
order has never been modified. COLA adjustments compound so that each
new adjustment will be measured from the amount and date of the previous.
12
“Sources of Information” on page 28 to obtain a current CPI table. If you are filing this request
to get an adjustment by the first day of a month, the most recent CPI available maybe be from
several months earlier, depending upon when you file this form. The CPI for any given month is
available about the 15th of the following month. (For example, the CPI for June will be
available about July 15.)
You will be using one of the two CPI indexes discussed previously (CPI-U or Mpls/StP CPI-U).
If your child support/spousal maintenance order says you must use the Mpls./St. Paul CPI-U, use
the same table. The Mpls./St. Paul CPI numbers are not available on a monthly basis. They are
available only twice each year. You must use the last available figure listed in the table. For
example, if you are doing this in April and need the Mpls./St. Paul CPI, you must use the January
figure.
Use the appropriate CPI index with the “1967 Base”. The CPI numbers are not dollar amounts.
Write CPI number here. 648.0
Write the most recent CPI-U month used November and year used 2009 from
the CPI Table.
STEP 3.
The CPI-U for two years ago* (or since the year of your last cost-of-living adjustment ). Look
this up on the CPI table.
Write CPI number here. 609.6
Write the most recent CPI-U month used July and year used 2006 from
the CPI Table.
*If you have not filed for a cost-of-living adjustment before, use the same month and same year
your child support or maintenance order was final. If you have received a cost-of-living
adjustment before, use the same month you used in Step 2 when you last filed.
STEP 4.
Subtract the CPI number in Step 3 from the CPI number in Step 2. If the answer you get after
subtracting is bigger than the CPI number in Step 2, check your figures.
CPI (Step 2) 648.0 – CPI (Step 3) 609.6 = 38.4
Write your answer here. 38.4
STEP 5.
This is the entry from the CPI-U table for
November of 2009 – the closest entry to the
current date
This is the entry from the CPI-U table for July
of 2006 – the latest date of when the support
order was issued, last modified or last
adjusted.
The difference between the
CPI-U entries
13
Divide the answer you got in Step 4 by the CPI number in Step 3. Dividing the answer you got
in Step 4 by the CPI number in Step 3 will give you the cost-of-living adjustment. The number
will have a decimal in front of it. You will need to fill in only the first three numbers after the
decimal point. (For example, an answer of “0.08632” can be written “0.086”)
Answer (Step 4) 38.4 / CPI (Step 3) 609.6 = 0.063
Write your answer here. 0.063
STEP 6.
Multiply the answer you got in Step 5 by the number stated in Step 1 (the current child
support/spousal maintenance order amount). Multiplying the answer you got in Step 5 by the
number stated in Step 1 will give you the dollar adjustment to your child support or spousal
maintenance.
Answer (Step 5) 0.063 x Amount (Step 1) $600.00 = $37.80
Write your answer here. $37.80
STEP 7.
Add the answer you got in Step 6 to the number stated in Step 1(the current child support/spousal
maintenance order amount). Adding the answer you got in Step 6 by the number stated in Step 1
will give you the total amount of the new child support/spousal maintenance, including the
adjustment.
IN THE LAST LINE insert the date when the new child support or spousal maintenance
amount will take effect (remember, you must give 20 calendar days notice; for example, if your
Letter of Notification to the person who pays child support/spousal maintenance is postmarked
July 12, the new payment amount will take effect on August 1.), how often you receive child
support or spousal maintenance (weekly, monthly, etc.), and the new amount of the child
support/spousal maintenance payment.
Note: If you are receiving both child support and spousal maintenance you should figure the
cost-of-living adjustments for each separately, so that the legal record is clear. You may
combine your separate final answers (the answers to Step 7) into one final answer on this form.
Answer (Step 6) $37.80 + Amount (Step 1) $600.00 = $637.80
Write your answer here. $637.80
The answer your got in Step 7 is the new child support/spousal maintenance amount
NOTICE: Beginning January 20, 2010** the new monthly child support/
(month, day, year) (monthly, weekly, etc.)
spousal maintenance amount is $637.80 .
(new amount)
The decimal representation of
the percent change in cost of
living
The increase in Jane Doe’s
monthly support payments
Jane Doe’s new total
monthly support payments
This is the key statement that will go into Jane
Doe’s notification letter. It provides the required
20 days of notice, a reminder of how often
support is due, and what the new amount is.
14
**Jane’s Letter of Notification was postmarked on December 31, 2009, so the effective date for
the new payment is 20 calendar days later—January 20, 2010.)
15
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form Worksheet
Purpose: The worksheet is a tool that will assist you in gathering and completing the
information required to fill out the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form that will be submitted. An
example Worksheet has been provided to assist you in filling out your own. Once you complete
the Worksheet, you will be able to use it to complete the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form.
All of the above information should be indicated on your child support order or divorce decree.
The cost-of-living adjustment in child support or spousal maintenance requested in Step 7 below
has been calculated pursuant to Minn. Stat. 518A.75 and the Child Support Order/Spousal
Maintenance order dated (Fill in the date when your child support-
spousal maintenance order was final. This date should appear at the front of the order or divorce
decree)
STEP 1.
Current child support or spousal maintenance order amount.
Please insert any previous adjustments or increases, if any
_________________________________________________________________
This amount is based on your child support order or divorce decree. Include any previous
adjustments or increases.
STATE OF MINNESOTA
The name of the county your child support/spousal
maintenance order was issued
________________________________________
The name of the court where your child
support/spousal maintenance was issued (this
should appear on your order as “County” or
“District” court)
________________________________________
Judicial District ___________________________
Case #
*Note: All of this information should be indicated
in your child support order or your divorce decree
In Re the Marriage of:
, Petitioner and
, Respondent
This section should be exactly the same as it
appears at the beginning of your child
support/spousal maintenance order. You may
have to change the final form. You may have to
cross out “In Re the Marriage of” if your child
support was not part of a divorce settlement.
You may have to change “Petitioner” to
“Plaintiff” and “Respondent” to “Defendant”
Use your child support/spousal maintenance as
your guide.
1
1
3
2
16
STEP 2.
Find the most recent CPI-U (available at http://www.oesw.leg.mn/cola/cpi.htm). Please see
“Sources of Information” on page 28 to obtain a current CPI table. If you are filing this request
to get an adjustment by the first day of a month, the most recent CPI available will be from
several months earlier, depending upon when you file this form. The CPI for any given month is
available about the 15th of the following month. (For example, the CPI for June will be
available about July 15.)
You will be using one of the two CPI indexes discussed previously (CPI-U or Mpls/StP CPI-U).
If your child support/spousal maintenance order says you must use the Mpls./St. Paul CPI-U, use
the same table. The Mpls./St. Paul CPI numbers are not available on a monthly basis. They are
available only twice each year. You must use the last available figure listed in the table. For
example, if you are doing this in April and need the Mpls./St. Paul CPI, you must use the January
figure.
Use the appropriate CPI index with the “1967 Base”. The CPI numbers are not dollar amounts.
Write CPI number here.
Write the most recent CPI-U month used________________ and year used____________ from
the CPI Table.
STEP 3.
The CPI-U for two years ago* (or since the year of your last cost-of-living adjustment ). Look
this up on the CPI table.
Write CPI number here.
Write the most recent CPI-U month used________________ and year used____________ from
the CPI Table.
*If you have not filed for a cost-of-living adjustment before, use the same month and same year
your child support or maintenance order was final. If you have received a cost-of-living
adjustment before, use the same month you used in Step 2 when you last filed.
STEP 4.
Subtract the CPI number in Step 3 from the CPI number in Step 2. If the answer you get after
subtracting is bigger than the CPI number in Step 2, check your figures.
CPI (Step 2) __________ – CPI (Step 3) __________ = __________
Write your answer here.
17
STEP 5.
Divide the answer you got in Step 4 by the CPI number in Step 3. Dividing the answer you got
in Step 4 by the CPI number in Step 3 will give you the cost-of-living adjustment. The number
will have a decimal in front of it. You will need to fill in only the first three numbers after the
decimal point. (For example, an answer of “0.08632” can be written “0.086”)
Answer (Step 4) __________ / CPI (Step 3) __________ = __________
Write your answer here.
STEP 6.
Multiply the answer you got in Step 5 by the number stated in Step 1 (the current child
support/spousal maintenance order amount). Multiplying the answer you got in Step 5 by the
number stated in Step 1 will give you the dollar adjustment to your child support or spousal
maintenance.
Answer (Step 5) __________ x number stated in Step 1 __________ = __________
Write your answer here.
STEP 7.
Add the answer you got in Step 6 to the number stated in Step 1(the current child support/spousal
maintenance order amount). Adding the answer you got in Step 6 by the number stated in Step 1
will give you the total amount of the new child support/spousal maintenance, including the
adjustment.
IN THE LAST LINE insert the date when the new child support or spousal maintenance
amount will take effect (remember, you must give 20 days notice), how often you receive child
support or spousal maintenance (weekly, monthly, etc.), and the new amount of the child
support/spousal maintenance payment.
Note: If you are receiving both child support and spousal maintenance you should figure the
cost-of-living adjustments for each separately, so that the legal record is clear. You may
combine your separate final answers (the answers to Step 7) into one final answer to put on this
form.
Answer (Step 6) __________ + number stated in Step 1 __________ = __________
Write your answer here.
The answer your got in Step 7 is the new child support/spousal maintenance amount
NOTICE: Beginning the new child support/
(month, day, year) (monthly, weekly, etc.)
spousal maintenance amount is $ .
(new amount)
18
You are now ready to complete the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form. You will be able to transfer
the answers you got for the various Steps on the Worksheet onto the Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Form. For example, the answer stated in Step 1 of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form
Worksheet will be the answer to Step 1 on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment form. When you are
done filling out the form, remove it from this booklet and use it to make two copies**, one for
yourself and one for the person who pays you child support and/or maintenance. File the
original Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form along with the completed original Letter of
Notification and Affidavit of Service by Mail Forms in this packet with your other child
support/spousal maintenance records at the court.
**Note: If you are being paid directly by your ex-spouse’s employer, you will also need to send
a copy to the employer. If you are receiving spousal maintenance only, you may also
need to send copies to your ex-spouse’s employer and to the Child Support
Enforcement Office if the payments are sent to them.
19
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Forms
1. Example Cost-of-Living adjustment Form
2. Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form
3. Example Letter of Notification
4. Letter of Notification
5. Example Affidavit of Service by Mail
6. Affidavit of Service by Mail
20
Example Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form
The cost-of-living adjustment in child support or spousal maintenance requested in Step 7 below
has been calculated pursuant to Minn. Stat. 518A.75 and the Child Support/Spousal Maintenance
Order dated July 21, 2006 .
STEP 1: Current child support or spousal maintenance order amount $ 600.00
STEP 2: The most recent CPI-U 648.0
Month used November Year used 2009
STEP 3: The CPI-U for two years ago (or since the last change) 609.6
Month used July Year used 2006
STEP 4: Subtract the number in Step 3 from the number in Step 2.
Write answer here. 38.4
STEP 5: Divide the number you got in Step 4 by the number on the line in Step 3.
Write answer here. 0.063
STEP 6: Multiply the number in Step 5 by the number in Step 1.
Write answer here. $ 37.80
STEP 7: Add the number in Step 6 to the number in Step 1. This is the new child support/spousal
maintenance payment. Write answer here. $ 637.80
NOTICE: Beginning January 20, 2010** the new monthly child
support/ spousal maintenance amount is $ 637.80 .
****Jane’s Letter of Notification was postmarked on December 31, 2009, so the effective date for the new payment is 20 calendar days
later—January 20, 2010.)
STATE OF MINNESOTA
County Ramsey
Court District
Judicial District Second
Case # 000000
In Re the Marriage of:
Jane Doe , Petitioner and
John Doe , Respondent
1
2
3
Date of the original order or decree
The names of the parties as they
appear on the order or decree
Case and court information from where the
order or decree creating the support
obligation issued
Amount of the original
support payments
Entry from the CPI
table closest to the
current date
Entry from the CPI table nearest
the last change in support amount
Decimal percent change in cost of
living since the last adjustment
Additional payment that will be
added to the support payments
Total new support payment after
cost-of-living adjustment
Key sentence setting out new
support payment terms
All entries on this form are calculated on
the cost-of-living adjustment worksheet.
21
22
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Form
The cost-of-living adjustment in child support or spousal maintenance requested in Step 7 below has
been calculated pursuant to Minn. Stat. 518A.75 and the Child Support/Spousal Maintenance Order
dated .
STEP 1: Current child support or spousal maintenance order amount $
STEP 2: The most recent CPI-U
Month used Year used
STEP 3: The CPI-U for two years ago (or since the last change)
Month used Year used
STEP 4: Subtract the number in Step 3 from the number in Step 2.
Write answer here. ________________________
STEP 5: Divide the number you got in Step 4 by the number on the line in Step 3.
Write answer here.
STEP 6: Multiply the number in Step 5 by the number in Step 1.
Write answer here.
STEP 7: Add the number in Step 6 to the number in Step 1. This is the new child support/spousal maintenance
payment. Write answer here.
NOTICE: Beginning the new child
support/ spousal maintenance amount is $ .
STATE OF MINNESOTA
County ___________________________
Court ____________________________
Judicial District ____________________
Case #
In Re the Marriage of:
_____________________, Petitioner and
_____________________, Respondent
1
2
3
23
You are now ready to complete the Letter of Notification and Affidavit of Service by Mail. You will be
able to transfer the answers you got for the various Steps on the Worksheet onto the Letter of
Notification Form. For example, the answer stated in Step 1 of the Letter of Notification Form
Worksheet will be the answer to Step 1 on the Letter of Notification form. When you are done, remove
the completed form from this booklet and use it to make two copies**, one for yourself and one for the
person who pays you child support and /or maintenance. File the original Letter of Notification Form
along with the completed original Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Affidavit of Service by Mail Forms in
this packet with your other child support/spousal maintenance records at the court.
**Note: If you are being paid directly by your ex-spouse’s employer, you will also need to send a copy
to the employer. If you are receiving spousal maintenance only, you may also need to send
copies to your ex-spouse’s employer and to the Child Support Enforcement Office if the
payments are sent to them.
24
Example Letter of Notification
Date: December 31, 2009
To: Name John Doe
Address 10000 1
st
Street
Somewhere, Minnesota, 00000
Notice of Cost-of-living Adjustment
In Re the Marriage of:
Jane Doe , Petitioner and
John Doe , Respondent
Court File No: 000000
Dear John Doe ,
Please be advised that a cost-of-living adjustment to the child support/spousal maintenance
amount you pay will become effective on January 20 , 20 10 . The adjustment is more fully
explained and consistent with the terms of
Appendix A of the Order .
Prior to the effective date of the adjustment, you have the right to request a court hearing on
whether the cost-of-living adjustment should take effect and obtain an ex parte stay of the
imposition of the cost-of-living adjustment pending the outcome of the hearing. Forms for you
to do this are available from the court administrator’s office. The cost-of-living adjustment
upon the child support/spousal maintenance obligation of $ 600 per month ordered by the
court will take effect, if you fail to schedule such a hearing and obtain an ex parte court order.
My calculations as to the amount of the adjustments are enclosed. By these computations, you
should be paying $ 637.80 per month for your child support/spousal maintenance obligation
starting on January 20 , 20 10 .
Sincerely,
Jane Doe ___ 5000 80
th
Avenue
Name Street Address
Jane Doe Somewhere, MN, 00000
Signature City, State, Zip code
This is the date you mail the letter and forms
This is the name and address of the person who
pays your child support and/or spousal maintenance
payments. For Jane, this is John Doe.
These are the names as they originally appear on your original
child support order or divorce decree. In some jurisdictions
these will be called “Plaintiff” and “Defendant” instead. Jane
was listed as petitioner and her ex-husband as defendant and
she places the names in the appropriate blanks.
The name of the person who pays your child
support and/or spousal maintenance.
Must provide at least
20 calendar days
notice
The cost-of-
living adjustment
was set out in
Appendix A of
her order or else
she would write
the paragraph
number creating
the adjustment.
If the adjustment
is not mentioned,
use Minnesota
Statute 518A.75.
Whether adjustment is part of court issued order
or included in the divorce decree. Delete if
using Minnesota Statute 518A.75
The support being currently being paid
before the adjustment is added on
Must provide at least 20
calendar days notice, same as
step (6) above.
The new support payment, including the adjustment.
See step (7) on the COLA Form Worksheet.
Including your address is important if the adjustment is contested.
If you do not wish to provide your address, consider using a P.O.
Box, collection services from a public authority, or using the
“Safe
at Home” program with the Secretary of State’s office.
The court file number is found on you divorce decree or support order
25
Letter of Notification
Date
To: Name
Address
Notice of Cost-of-living Adjustment
In Re the Marriage of:
, Petitioner and
, Respondent
Court File No:
Dear ,
Please be advised that a cost-of-living adjustment to the child support/spousal maintenance amount you pay will
become effective on , 20 . The adjustment is more fully explained and consistent with
the terms of of the .
Prior to the effective date of the adjustment, you have the right to file a notice of motion and motion, which must
include a hearing date on whether the cost-of-living adjustment should take effect. Forms for you to do this are
available from the court administrator’s office or from the court public website: www.mncourts.gov. The cost-of-
living adjustment upon the child support/spousal maintenance obligation of $ ordered by the
court will take effect if you fail to schedule such a hearing and serve and file the notice of motion and supporting
affidavit.
My calculations as to the amount of the adjustments are enclosed. By these computations, you should be paying $
per for your child support/spousal maintenance obligation starting on , 20
.
Sincerely,
__________________________________ ________________________________
Name Street Address
__________________________________ ________________________________
Signature City, State, Zip code
26
Example Affidavit of Service by Mail
State of Minnesota )
County of Ramsey )
(County where filing cost-of-living adjustment)
Court File No. 000000
Jane Doe of the City of Walker County of Cass
(your name) (your current residence)
in the State of Minnesota , being duly sworn says that on the 31 day of January
(day) (month)
20 10 she served the Cost-of-living Adjustment Form and Letter of Notification on
(year)
John Doe by mailing to him/her a copy of it,
(name of child support/spousal maintenance payer)
enclosed in an envelope, postage prepaid, and by depositing it in the post office at
Walker directed to him at the last known address, at
(city where mailed)
10000 1
st
Street
Somewhere, Minnesota, 00000
(address of child support /spousal maintenance payer)
__________________________________
(sign your name here in front of the Notary Public)
Subscribed and sworn before me
this day of , 20 .
(day) (month) (year)
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _____________________________
This is the county were the divorce
decree or support order issued
Found on your support
order or divorce decree
Remember to give at
least 20 calendar
days notice
The city you mailed
your Notification and
Form from
All of this should be left
blank for the Notary
Public to fill out.
DO NOT SIGN until
you are with a Notary
Public. See page 29 for
how to find a Notary
Public.
27
Affidavit of Service by Mail
State of Minnesota )
County of )
(County where filing cost-of-living adjustment)
Court File No.
of the City of County of
(your name) (your current residence)
in the State of , being duly sworn says that on the day of
(day) (month)
20 he/she served the Cost-of-living Adjustment Form and Letter of Notification on
(year)
by mailing to him/her a copy of it,
(name of child support/spousal maintenance payer)
enclosed in an envelope, postage prepaid, and by depositing it in the post office at
directed to him/her at the last known address, at
(city where mailed)
(address of child support /spousal maintenance payer)
__________________________________
(sign your name here in front of the Notary Public)
Subscribed and sworn before me
this day of , 20 .
(day) (month) (year)
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ___________________________
28
Appendix A:
Further Information on Adjustments
29
What is a modification of child support?
By law, child support must be set according to Minnesota’s child support guidelines. The Minnesota
Guidelines Calculator is available at: www.calculator.dhs.state.mn.us/calculator. These guidelines
consider the incomes of both parents and allocate a specific dollar amount for basic support based on the
parent’s respective incomes and the number of children. The guidelines also allocate the cost of medical
insurance, the division of unreimbursed or uninsured medical and dental expense and allocates work-
related and school-related child care costs. If you feel the amount of child support is not appropriate
based on the guidelines, you might consider a legal modification of your child support award. The
modification process – which will involve a review of the incomes of the obligor (the person who is
paying) and the obligee (the person who receives payment) – is entirely different from the cost-of-living
adjustment process.
Criteria for changing court orders
(The ability to request changing court orders for the following circumstances)
The court may change a child support order if:
There is a substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s gross income
There is a substantial increase or decrease in the needs of a party or the child
One of the parties or the child receives public assistance
There is a change in the cost of living for either parent
There are extraordinary medical expenses for the child
There is an additional or substantial increase or decrease in existing work-related or education-
related child care expenses
The child is emancipated
Change of Circumstances
(The courts will review whether your request meets the following criteria)
A. The court will consider that there has been a substantial change of circumstances and presume
any of the criteria for changing court orders makes terms of the existing order unreasonable and
unfair if:
o Based on the calculation, changing the current order would result in a child support
amount that is at least 20 percent and at least $75 higher or lower than the current order.
If the current support order is less than $75, it results in a calculated court order that is at
least 20% per month higher or lower.
o The medical support provisions of the order are not enforceable, coverage is now
available or is not now available, or the cost of the coverage has changed substantially
o The health coverage ordered is not available to the child for whom the order is
established
o The current order is for a percentage of income, not a fixed dollar amount.
o The gross income of a party has decreased by at least 20 percent through no fault or
choice of the party.
30
B. The court may also change a support order if custody has changed.
To pursue a modification of child support, ask the Court Administrator’s office in your county for a
form to request a modification in child support or you can get it at www.mncourts.gov, click on “forms”.
For more information about contacting the Court Administrator’s office in your county, please see the
“Modification Forms” entry in “Sources of Information” on page 29. If the county is providing child
support collection services, either parent may request in writing that the child support office review their
support order to see if the requirements for a modification are met. If so, the county may request a
modification in child support in the expedited child support hearing process. Not all counties process
modifications.
31
Appendix B:
Supporting Materials & Resources
32
Sources of Information
Child Support Enforcement Office
Additional information on Minnesota’s child support laws and system is available at http://tinyurl.com/euol6
through the Minnesota Department of Human Services An online calculator is available at
http://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/ to estimate the amount of child support a court might order. The
Department of Human Services also has an interactive webpage, Child Support ezDocs, at
http://tinyurl.com/md7uomc that can be used to
request the child support agency review your current child support court order for changes,
respond to a request for a review of your current child support court order by the child support agency, or
file a motion on your own (pro se modification) to ask the court for a change to your child support order if the
you choose not to hire a lawyer.
If your spousal maintenance order includes child support, please access assistance via the Minnesota Department
of Human Services Child Support Page at http://tinyurl.com/euol6
Contacts for additional child support assistance:
24-hour recorded information is available at (651) 431-4340 in the Twin Cities area, or 1 (800) 657-3512
outside the Twin Cities area.
County Child Support Offices. If you have an open case and cannot get the information you need from
Minnesota Child Support Online at http://www.childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us/Action/Welcome, contact your
county child support office. Case work is done by the counties. Your county worker has your file and is in the
best position to help you. If your case worker does not resolve your questions or problems, ask to talk to a
supervisor at the county. If you still have problems with your case, contact the State Child Support Office at
the Minnesota Department of Human Services, (651) 431-4400.
The contact information for each county’s Child Support Office is on the Minnesota Department of Human
Services Website at http://tinyurl.com/32pxjv. In the table below the state map, click on the county in which your
child support/spousal maintenance was issued. Selecting this county will provide you with the contact
information for that particular county’s Child Support Office. You may also find out more information about a
county’s Child Support Office by calling Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support
Division at: (651) 431 – 4400. Twenty-four-hour recorded information is available at (651) 431-4340 in the Twin
Cities area, or 1 (800) 657-3512 outside the Twin Cities area.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
The numbers in the OESW CPI table use the year 1967 as the base.
Monthly CPI-U numbers become available around the middle of each month for the previous month.
NA means the number is not available and is not calculated for that month.
The MPLS/ST. PAUL CPI numbers are only available semi-annually. The number listed in July is for the
first half of the year. The number listed in January is for the second half of the previous year.
CPI figures using 1982/84 as the base are available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED) by calling (651) 259-7384 or 1-888-234-1114.
33
CPI data are also available on the Internet from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
For the CPI-U: http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost?cu select U.S. All Items, 1967=100 (or U.S. All
Items, 1982-84=100); click on retrieve data.
For the Mpls/StP CPI-U using the 1967 base: http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost?r5
select (CPI-U) Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN-WI, All Items 1967=100 - CUUSA211AA0;
click on retrieve data.
Court Administrator’s Office
Minnesota is divided into a number of district courts. Most of these districts consist of more than one county. To
determine what Court Administrator’s Office that you need to contact, you must first identify which district your
county is a part of. To determine a county’s judicial district, visit the Minnesota court’s website at
http://www.mncourts.gov. There will be a banner at the top of the page with various different tools. There is a
tool within this banner that says “Find Your Court.” Select the name of the county where your child
support/spousal maintenance was issued and click “GO.” This will direct you to the page for the correct judicial
district for the county you selected. The judicial district pages will give contact information for their Court
Administrator’s Office. You may also find out more information about a county’s Court Administrator’s Office
by calling the Minnesota Judicial Center’s general information number at: (651) 297 – 7587.
Legal Services
The Child Support Enforcement Office (CSEO) in each county can help establish paternity, get an order for child
support, enforce an existing order, collect payments, and more. Child support offices also take the steps to obtain
cost-of-living adjustments in the child support orders they enforce. Please see the “Child Support Enforcement
Office” listing on page 28.
If your child support case is complicated, you may need to hire a private attorney experienced in family law. You
may contact the following county bar associations for referral to an attorney: Dakota county: 952-431-3200;
Hennepin county: 612-752-6666; Ramsey county and metro area: 651-224-1775. For all other Minnesota
counties, access the www.mnfindalawyer.com website.
If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be able to locate low-cost legal services through area Legal Aid
Societies or legal advice clinics. However, legal aid programs have income restrictions and limit the types of
cases they accept. For answers to legal questions, contact information for legal aid offices, links to courthouses
and local community organizations see the www.lawhelpmn.org website.
Tubman offers legal services through law clinics, legal information sessions, and provides referrals to legal
agencies, legal programs, and private lawyers. Tubman’s telephone number is 612-871-0118 and their website
for legal resources is www.tubman.org – click on “Legal Services” from the home page.
Modification Forms
The Minnesota courts website has forms to modify child support and to contest a proposed cost-of-living
adjustment. Go to www.mncourts.gov and click on “forms”. The court administrator's office may have
modification forms available. All courthouses have terminals available for use by the public to access
court forms. If the county is providing child support services, either parent may request in writing that
34
the child support office review their support order to see if the requirements for a modification are met.
If so, the county may request a modification in child support in the expedited child support hearing
process.
Notary Public
A bank in your area or the court office may have a Notary Public to help you sign the Affidavit of
Service in this packet. Often, if you use a Notary Public at the bank where your accounts are, there will
be no fee. In Minnesota, the fee for having a document notarized cannot exceed $1.00 (Minnesota
Statutes Section 357.17). Some UPS stores provide Notary Public services—call the specific store first
to confirm they offer this service. Additional listings may be available in the yellow pages under
"Notaries Public."
Cost-of-Living Adjustments in Maintenance or
Child Support Orders--Minnesota’s Law
MN STAT. 518A.75
518A.75 COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS IN MAINTENANCE OR CHILD SUPPORT
ORDER.
Subdivision 1.Requirement.
(a) An order establishing, modifying, or enforcing maintenance or child support shall provide for a
biennial adjustment in the amount to be paid based on a change in the cost of living. An order that
provides for a cost-of-living adjustment shall specify the cost-of-living index to be applied and the date
on which the cost-of-living adjustment shall become effective. The court may use the Consumer Price
Index for all urban consumers, Minneapolis-St. Paul (CPI-U), the Consumer Price Index for wage
earners and clerical, Minneapolis-St. Paul (CPI-W), or another cost-of-living index published by the
Department of Labor which it specifically finds is more appropriate. Cost-of-living increases under this
section shall be compounded. The court may also increase the amount by more than the cost-of-living
adjustment by agreement of the parties or by making further findings.
(b) The adjustment becomes effective on the first of May of the year in which it is made, for cases in
which payment is made to the public authority. For cases in which payment is not made to the public
authority, application for an adjustment may be made in any month but no application for an adjustment
may be made sooner than two years after the date of the dissolution decree. A court may waive the
requirement of the cost-of-living clause if it expressly finds that the obligor's occupation or income, or
both, does not provide for cost-of-living adjustment or that the order for maintenance or child support
has a provision such as a step increase that has the effect of a cost-of-living clause. The court may waive
a cost-of-living adjustment in a maintenance order if the parties so agree in writing. The commissioner
of human services may promulgate rules for child support adjustments under this section in accordance
with the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14. Notice of this statute must comply with section 518.68,
subdivision 2.
35
Subd. 2.Notice.
No adjustment under this section may be made unless the order provides for it and the public authority
or the obligee, if the obligee is requesting the cost-of-living adjustment, sends notice of the intended
adjustment to the obligor at the obligor's last known address at least 20 days before the effective date of
the adjustment. The notice shall inform the obligor of the date on which the adjustment will become effective
and the procedures for contesting the adjustment.
Subd. 2a.Procedures for contesting adjustment.
(a) To contest cost-of-living adjustments initiated by the public authority or an obligee who has applied
for or is receiving child support and maintenance collection services from the public authority, other
than income withholding only services, the obligor, before the effective date of the adjustment, must:
(1) file a motion contesting the cost-of-living adjustment with the court administrator; and
(2) serve the motion by first-class mail on the public authority and the obligee.
The hearing shall take place in the expedited child support process as governed by section 484.702.
(b) To contest cost-of-living adjustments initiated by an obligee who is not receiving child support and
maintenance collection services from the public authority, or for an obligee who receives income
withholding only services from the public authority, the obligor must, before the effective date of the
adjustment:
(1) file a motion contesting the cost-of-living adjustment with the court administrator; and
(2) serve the motion by first-class mail on the obligee.
The hearing shall take place in district court.
(c) Upon receipt of a motion contesting the cost-of-living adjustment, the cost-of-living adjustment shall
be stayed pending further order of the court.
(d) The court administrator shall make available pro se motion forms for contesting a cost-of-living
adjustment under this subdivision.
Subd. 3.Result of hearing.
If, at a hearing pursuant to this section, the obligor establishes an insufficient cost of living or other
increase in income that prevents fulfillment of the adjusted maintenance or basic support obligation, the
court or child support magistrate may direct that all or part of the adjustment not take effect. If, at the
hearing, the obligor does not establish this insufficient increase in income, the adjustment shall take
effect as of the date it would have become effective had no hearing been requested.
History:
1983 c 308 s 24; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1988 c 668 s 25; 1991 c 266 s 8,9; 1993 c 322 s 15; 1997 c 187 art 2 s 14; 1997 c 245 art 1 s 30; 1999 c 196 art 2 s
21; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 12 s 15-18; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 2005 c 164 s 29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28; 2007 c 118 s 19
Copyright © 2008 by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Updated May 2014
Office on the Economic Status of Women
