Child Support

All parents, whether they’re married to each other or not, must support their children financially. Every state has its own child support guidelines; these are the starting point for every decision about who will pay child support and how much. In general, the primary factors the court will consider are how much each parent earns and how much time each parent spends with the children. Other factors can come into play, too, including whether either parent has the ability to earn more, whether the child has special needs, and which parent pays for child care and health insurance. Support can last until the child is 18 or even longer, depending on where the parents and child live and on the child’s needs.

State by State Child Support Laws:

Child Support Guidelines

Child Support: How Judges Decide the Amount

How do judges determine how much child support to order? State guidelines are the starting point.

Modifying Child Support Orders

How to Increase Child Support Payments

Find out how (and why) a court would order an increase in child support payments.
How to Respond To a Child Support Petition

When you receive a "petition" (formal written request) for child support, you need to know how to respond appropriately.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Enforcing Child Support Orders: Dealing With a Deadbeat Parent

Now more than ever, it’s becoming harder for deadbeat parents to skip out on child support. Strict laws have been enacted to establish and enforce child support orders.
How to Collect Child Support Arrears

Due to strong national policy there are more ways than ever for custodial parents to get a deliquent, non-custodial parent to pay "arrears" (past due child support).
Securing Child Support Obligations Through Life Insurance

Securing a child support obligation with a life insurance policy is an excellent way to make sure that child support payments will continue in the event of the paying parent's death.

Remarriage and Child Support

Remarriage and Child Support in California

Learn how remarriage affects child support in California.

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