Child Support Basics
Child Support Basics
-
Child Support: How Judges Decide the Amount
If you want to know how much child support you'll pay (or receive), state guidelines are the starting point.
-
Filing for Child Support: How to Apply and How Much You Can Get
Both parents are responsible for financially supporting their child, no matter their relationship status. Find out how to apply for a child support order to collect from your child’s other parent.
-
What Child Support Can and Cannot Be Used For
Custodial parents have a lot of discretion when it comes to spending child support, but can the paying parent ever challenge how the custodial parent is using the money?
-
How to Modify Child Support Payments
Whether you're paying child support or receiving payments, you might think the current amount should change. Learn when and why a judge will modify child support.
-
How to Respond To a Child Support Petition
Learn what you need to do when you receive a petition or other formal request for child support, and what can happen if you don't respond.
-
How to Hire a Family Law Attorney
Handling a divorce, custody dispute, or adoption? Learn when legal representation might help—and when you may be able to manage a family law matter on your own.
-
How to Impute Income for Child Support
Child support isn’t just about income—it’s also about intent. Judges can “impute” earnings to parents who purposely underwork or hide money, ensuring kids still get the support they need. But proving it isn’t always easy.
-
How to Modify Child Support Payments
Whether you're paying child support or receiving payments, you might think the current amount should change. Learn when and why a judge will modify child support.
-
How to Respond To a Child Support Petition
Learn what you need to do when you receive a petition or other formal request for child support, and what can happen if you don't respond.
-
Can a lawyer help me decrease my child support payments?
Can a lawyer help me decrease my child support payments? Continue reading to learn more.
-
Enforcing Child Support Orders: Dealing With a Deadbeat Parent
Find out what happens when child support isn't paid, and how a parent can enforce a child support order.
-
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 in California
Learn whether you can change the amount of child support you’re paying or receiving in California after you or your ex has remarried.
-
Remarriage and Child Support Ohio
Learn how remarriage can affect existing child support orders in Ohio, including whether judges may consider a new spouse's income or a parent's support for additional children.
-
Remarriage and Child Support in Texas
Learn how remarriage can affect existing child support orders in Texas, including whether judges may consider a new spouse's income or a parent's support for additional children.