Child Support Law






Find a Law Firm:

Child Support law is a subset of family law and as in Child Custody law, overlaps with divorce law. Child support is court-ordered payment by one parent to the custodial parent of a minor child after divorce or separation as a contribution to the costs of raising the child. This is a provision to ensure that the child should receive equal support from both parents which it would have received if there was no divorce. Usually, the amount of child support is based on the income of both parents, the number of children, the expenses of the custodial parent, and any special needs of the child. Most states have child support guidelines that establish the ordinary support required to raise and care for the child. It may also include health plan coverage, school tuition or other expenses, and may be reduced during periods of extended visitation such as summer vacations.

Child support generally continues until the child reaches 18 years, graduates from high school, is emancipated or, in some cases, for an extended period such as college attendance. The amount and continuation of support may be changed by the court upon application of either party depending on a proven change of circumstance of the parents or child. Child support is not deductible from gross income for tax purposes nor is it taxed as income.

Child support and visitation are independent obligations. One cannot stop paying support if visitation is denied, nor can visitation be denied for nonpayment of child support. A person who denies ordered visitation or fails to pay ordered child support can be held in contempt of court and states have various remedies, which vary by state, for pursuing claims against parents who owe back child support. Such remedies may include driver's license suspension, wage garnishment, and attaching unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, and federal tax refunds, among others.

For more information about individual child support laws, procedures and related topics for U.S. states, please visit our U.S. Divorce Law Center. Copyright HG.org

Copyright HG.org

Know Your Rights!

Articles on HG.org Related to Child Support Law

  • US Divorce Law and Statistics
    It is an unfortunate reality of our modern culture that divorce is common and widespread. If you are going through a divorce, much of the terminology and general process of divorce can be confusing and intimidating. Understanding the fundamental concepts of the American divorce system can help you in navigating through the process of divorce or legal separation.
  • How to Establish Paternity in Child Support and Custody Disputes
    When a married couple has a child, most jurisdictions presume that the husband is the father of the child (even if he is not). When an unmarried couple has a child, on the other hand, it is usually necessary to establish paternity as soon as possible after the baby is born. This protects the mother, the baby, and the father, by establishing everyone's rights with regard to one another, such as visitation, support, and inheritance.
  • Ensuring Your Children Receive the Child Support They Deserve in New Jersey
    When one parent acts as the primary guardian for a child, the other parent is generally required to contribute to the financial needs of that child. Generally, in New Jersey, the amount of child support one parent pays another is based on the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. These Guidelines are found in Appendix IX of the New Jersey Court Rules.
  • Finding Overlooked or Hidden Child Support Expenses
    Underestimating or not accounting for all costs associated with raising children when itemizing expenses to help calculate child support is common. Don't overlook the details of your child's real financial needs. Our article helps list frequently missed costs that could be added as expenses in figuring child support amounts.
  • Termination of Parental Rights in North Carolina
    A North Carolina court can terminate the rights of a parent for: Abuse or neglect of the child; Willful abandonment of the child to foster care for more than twelve months;
  • Gumshoes Still Dig Out the Dirt During Divorces
    People hire private detectives for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is to uncover hidden assets. Private investigators don't become involved in all divorce cases. However, they can be very useful when the other party appears to be hiding assets or contesting child custody.
  • Modification of Child Support in Texas
    My husband got a job and makes more money. I make a lot less money now than when my divorce was final. My children live with a different parent now. Can we change the amount of child support? In the changing economy, these are very common questions. Fortunately, the answers are simple. The answer is yes, child support can be modified.
  • Factors Determining Child Custody under Georgia Law
    Going through a divorce is difficult on everyone, but a divorce can be particularly hard when you and your partner need to determine who gets custody of the kids. GA child custody law keeps the best interests of the child in mind, and who receives child custody will depend on a variety of different factors. The guidance of an experienced lawyer from is imperative if you want to win custody after a divorce.
  • Fathers Rights in California and What Every Dad Should Know
    Fathers concerned about their California custody rights get a lot of bad information. This article will take the confusion and myth out of this area of family law and get dads who are going through custody cases off to a good start.
  • 10 Questions to Ask your Divorce Lawyer in Georgia: Part 2
    A divorce is a delicate matter that should be handled by both experienced and helpful divorce lawyer. Ask the right questions to find the attorney that best fits your needs!
  • All Family Law Articles

    Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Family Law including: adoption, alimony, child support and custody, child visitation, collaborative law, divorce, domestic violence, elder law, juvenile crime, juvenile law, juvenile probation, paternity, pre-nuptial agreement, separation.

Child Support Law - US

  • Child Custody and Child Support

    When married parents divorce or separate, or when only one of the unmarried parents of a child has custody, the court may order the "non-custodial" parent (the parent with whom the child does not live) to pay a certain portion of his or her income as child support.

  • Child Support Guidelines - by the National Conference of State Legislatures

    All states are required by federal law to conduct reviews of their child support guidelines every four years.

  • Custody and Support Resource Guide - by the National Center for State Courts

    Courts have attempted to ease the pain of custody battles for families by providing (and sometimes requiring) mediation, parental education, and other services to divorcing parents or parting never-married parents and their children.

  • Family Law in the Fifty States - ABA

    The Family Law Quarterly publishes these charts in conjunction with the annual "Family Law in the Fifty States Case Digests."

  • Handbook on Child Support Enforcement

    This Handbook on Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get the child support payments your children need and deserve. Although it is written for people who are working through Child Support Enforcement (CSE) offices, it will also be useful to parents who are working with private attorneys.

  • Office of Child Support Enforcement FY 2011 Preliminary Report

    The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) Preliminary Report highlights financial and statistical program achievements which occurred in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The information was retrieved from State-submitted reports on program status sent to the Federal government on a quarterly and annual basis.

  • Summary of the Practice Parameters for Child Custody Evaluation - AACAP

    This summary is presented as a guide for clinicians evaluating the often delicate and complex issues surrounding a child custody dispute.

  • U.S. Code: Federal Parent Locator Service

    The Secretary shall establish and conduct a Federal Parent Locator Service, under the direction of the designee of the Secretary referred to in section 652 (a) of this title, which shall be used for the purposes specified in paragraphs (2) and (3).

  • Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (1997)

    This Act, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), revisits the problem of the interstate child almost thirty years after the Conference promulgated the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA).

Organizations Related to Child Support Law

Publications Related to Child Support Law