Child support modification may be sought by either parent in the event of a material change in their financial circumstances. Sometimes, a non-custodial parent has a legitimate reason that he or she is unable to pay the amount ordered by the courts. This might be because of job loss, a disabling illness or accident, or incarceration. In such cases, the parent can petition the court to reduce the amount of support to be paid. Many states have a very low minimum requirement for child support, so even low-income non-custodial parents can generally make some contribution. Any child support modification must be made formally rather than as a simple agreement between the parents or it will have no legal standing and be unenforceable. If a non-custodial parent moves to a different state, this does not change his or her obligation to pay the amount determined in a support order. The federal government has the ability to prosecute parents who attempt to avoid paying child support by moving from one jurisdiction to another.