Child Support

Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non-custodial parent to help compensate for child's living expenses including food, clothes, medical care, and other needs of the child. When one parent is awarded sole or primary physical custody, the non-custodial parent is required to fulfill his or her child support obligation by making set payments, whereas the custodial parent meets his or her support obligation through the custody itself. The obligation to support minor children cannot be waived by either parent and is a right enjoyed by the child, not the parent.

The amount of child support is calculated according to a variety of factors set by state law including each parent’s income and assets, the standard of living enjoyed by the children prior to the divorce or separation, the parents’ current standard of living, the child’s various needs, and a consideration of the amount of time each parent spends with the child. While each state’s guidelines for determining child support may vary, the goal is generally to achieve an equitable distribution of the financial responsibility for raising children and to encourage parents to be actively involved in their upbringing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Child Support?
Child support is a payment by one parent (often the noncustodial parent) to the other parent for the support of their common child. (See Child Support and Visitation.) It is in the best … more
What Is Child Support Used For?
Child support covers everything a child needs, and even more, during the growth and formative years. Keep the following in mind: A parent`s first and principal obligation is to support his or her … more
Who Can Be Offered To Pay Child Support?
A court can order either parent of a child to pay support to other parent. The court order for support is usually payable on a monthly basis. Many states now require that child support be paid by … more

Legal Articles

Can I have my child support payments automatically deducted from the other parent’s paycheck?
Are you tired of getting your child support payments whenever your ex feels like paying them? Does your ex not always pay the amount of child support that he or she is supposed to pay? One easy solution to these problems is to have your child support payments automatically deducted from the other parent’s paycheck by his or her employer. Taking this step can ensure that … more
Enforcing a Child Support Order Out of State
While a parent living out of state may make enforcing your child support order a bit tricky, it certainly doesn’t make it impossible. The first step is to find the other parent’s address. In some cases, this may require hiring a private investigator or using locator resources from your local child support office. Every state has a parent locator service, and local … more

How To Modify a Child Support Order
An initial child support order is usually made on the basis of the income of both parents, the needs of the child and other relevant matters. If you feel that an existing order has now become burdensome or inadequate you should consult an attorney because you may be able to have the existing order modified. STEP 1 – Evaluate Whether Your Circumstances Support a Modification In … more