Yes, even if your income changes or you lose your job, you still have to comply with a standing child support order. That obligation does not end automatically.
That said, if you got a divorce and the court issued a child support order, they will have taken your income into account when determining how much has to be paid on a monthly basis. It is natural that you may feel you cannot meet this obligation if you have lost your job, and the key is to seek a modification to the child support order.
In other words, do not just stop paying because your position was terminated or your income was reduced. Continue to pay, petition the court for a modification to lower the monthly total and move forward from there. By doing this, you ensure that you do not violate a standing court order.
Is it a permanent reduction?
When you request the modification, one detail that the court will want to know is if you have had a permanent reduction in income or if it is just temporary.
For instance, perhaps you are a small business owner, and the company has had a slow month. The court is unlikely to change your child support obligations.
On the other hand, maybe you previously had a good job, but you were recently let go in a round of layoffs. You know that it could be months before you find another job, if you do at all. You may be able to request a modification.
Either way, it is very important to understand exactly what legal steps to take, and that includes getting the modification before you actually change how much you pay in child support.