change in circumstances
change in circumstances. Family law. A modification in the physical, emotional, or financial condition of one or both parents, used to show the need to modify a custody or support order; esp., an involuntary occurrence that, if it had been known at the time of the divorce decree, would have resulted in the court’s issuing a different decree, as when an involuntary job loss creates a need to modify the decree to provide for reduced child-support payments. — Also termed change of circumstances; changed circumstances; material change in circumstances; substantial change in circumstances; change of condition. See MODIFICATION ORDER. [Cases: Child Custody 555–556; Child Support 233–234; Divorce 245(2). C.J.S. Parent and Child § 231; C.J.S. Divorce §§ 405–413.]
