Find a Lawyer

Find the Right Child Support Lawyer Now!
Fast, Free, and Confidential
LegalMatch Client and Child Support Lawyer
Arrow
Find your lawyer now: Click Here to Present Your Case

Child Support Overview

Child support is the pre-determined sum of money paid (usually monthly) to the spouse who retains primary custody of the child. The amount is set by the custody agreement and is required by law. Child support is intended for the benefit of the child, and usually pays for the basic necessities such as:
  • Food, housing and clothing
  • Health insurance and medical care
  • Educational expenses
Determining the Amount of Child Support
Courts generally require each parent to complete a financial statement before making a decision on child support. In the financial statement, the parent must detail his or her monthly income and expenses. Based on the financial information and the amount of time each parent spends with the child, the Court uses a standard formula to determine the child support amount.

Whose Obligation is it to Pay Child Support?
Payment of child support can be required of all parents (fathers or mothers, or parents in a same sex union) regardless of whether they are married or not. In disputes about who the child's father is a paternity test can be required or ordered. Step-parents are not obligated by law to pay child support unless the step-parent has legally adopted the child or children. More information regarding child support can be found in these LegalMatch Law Library Articles: Child Support Enforcement, Collecting Unpaid Child Support, Termination of Parental Rights, Grandparents and Child Support, Child Support and Taxes, Bankruptcy and Child Support, Child Support College Payments and Child Support Amount Calculations.

LegalMatch: The Benchmark for Attorney / Client Matching Services
TRUSTe: click to view the LegalMatch privacy policy Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Seal On Guard Online HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.
Copyright 1999- LegalMatch. All rights reserved. LegalMatch®, the LegalMatch logo, and the tradedress are trademarks of LegalMatch. Patents Pending.
Law Library | Attorney Information | Financial Services | Affiliate Program | Blawg
 
Attorney Search by City/State
Estate Lawyers | DUI-DWI Lawyers | Divorce Lawyers | Criminal Lawyers
Expungement Lawyers | Business Lawyers | Government Layers | Family Law Lawyers  
Real Estate Lawyers | Employment Lawyers | Bankruptcy Lawyers | Foreclosure Lawyers 
Personal Injury Lawyers | Child Support Lawyers | Child Visitation Lawyers | Child Custody Lawyers 
Immigration Lawyers | Landlord/Tenant Lawyers | Defective Products Lawyers | Christian Attorneys
Attorney Referral Services | Intellectual Property Lawyers | Bar Association Lawyers