Figure 4.6:  Decision of Variation Application by Applicant

Figure 4.6 presents the outcome of variation applications by applicant. Of those brought by the receiving parent, 66.2 percent resulted in an increase of the face value amount, 30.2 percent resulted in a decrease, 3.2 percent resulted in a termination order and 0.5 percent were denied. Of applications brought by the paying parent, 13.6 percent resulted in an increase of the face value amount, 68.8 percent resulted in a decrease, 15.9 percent resulted in a termination order and 1.8 percent were denied. Of the cross-applications, approximately equal numbers resulted in an increase (43.5 percent) and a decrease (43.8 percent) of the face value amount. Fewer cases resulted in a termination order (11.6 percent) or denial of the application (1.1 percent). To look at this issue from a different perspective, of the 2,043 variation applications in which the applicant was known and that resulted in an increase of the face value support amount, 75.7 percent were brought by the receiving parent and 16.6 percent by the paying parent; 7.7 percent were cross-applications. Of the 2,577 variation applications that resulted in a decrease of the face value support amount, 27.4 percent were brought by the receiving parent and 66.5 percent by the paying parent; 6.2 percent were cross-applications.