Domestic Relations Law § 236 (B) (9) (b) provides that upon the application of a party in a matrimonial action, the court may modify any prior order or judgment as to child support upon a showing of a substantial change in circumstances (see Matter of Rodriguez v Mendoza-Gonzalez, 96 AD3d 766 [2012]; LiGreci v LiGreci, 87 AD3d 722, 724 [2011]; D'Alesio v D'Alesio, 300 AD2d 340, 341 [2002]). The party seeking the modification has the burden of establishing such a change in circumstances (see Matter of Rodriguez v Mendoza-Gonzalez, 96 AD3d at 766; D'Alesio v D'Alesio, 300 AD2d at 341; Klapper v Klapper, 204 AD2d 518, 519 [1994]).
Financial hardship may constitute a substantial change in circumstances (see Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B] [9] [b]; LiGreci v LiGreci, 87 AD3d at 724; Matter of Perrego v Perrego, 63 AD3d 1072, 1073 [2009]). In determining if there is a substantial change in circumstances to justify a downward modification, the change is measured by comparing the payor’s financial circumstances at the time of the motion for downward modification and at either the time of the divorce, or the time when the order sought to be modified was made (see Matter of Rodriguez v Mendoza-Gonzalez, 96 AD3d at 766; LiGreci v LiGreci, 87 AD3d at 724; Klapper v Klapper, 204 AD2d at 519).
Here, the defendant did not satisfy his prima facie burden of
In light of the foregoing, we need not reach the plaintiffs remaining contention. Dillon, J.E, Dickerson, Austin and Miller, JJ., concur.