Law Library Articles

Top 10 Child Support Articles in the LegalMatch Law Library

Charlie Sheen and P. Diddy learned the hard way that child support can be frustrating and costly. When Charlie Sheen divorced Brooke Mueller, the mother of his twins, he was ordered to pay $55,000 a month in child support. P. Diddy pays child support to two women: $19,000 a month to Misa Hylton-Brim for their son Justin, and $20,000 a month to Kim Porter for their son Christian.

Child support is a court-ordered, monthly payment that a non-custodial parent pays to a custodial parent (the parent taking primary care of the child). The purpose of child support is to provide for the needs of the child, including expenses for food, clothing, school, entertainment, housing, utilities, and transportation. Here are the top ten articles about child support from the LegalMatch Law Library:

1. How to Stop Child Support

Child support doesn’t simply end when your child hits 18, gets married, or joins the military. This article explains how you must file a petition with the court to officially stop payments, plus other reasons a court may let you end them (like emancipation). It also warns that if you stop paying without a proper order, you may owe back payments or face penalties.

2. Child Support Application Fraud

When a parent lies about their income or a child’s needs to skew support amounts, it’s called application fraud. This article shows how to spot signs someone is hiding money or inflating expenses and how to report it. You’ll also learn the serious legal consequences for giving the court false information.

3. Child Support Lawsuit by an Adult Child

Adult children usually can’t sue a parent directly for unpaid support, but there are exceptions. This article covers how unpaid “arrears” might still be owed even after a child turns 18, especially if the adult child has a disability or becomes the executor of a parent’s estate. It also explains how states handle back payments and statute of limitations issues.

4. Mississippi Child Support Lawyers

Mississippi has strict rules on how much each parent must contribute to a child’s upbringing. This article outlines the state’s income-based formula for calculating payments, how child support can be enforced, and what happens if a parent’s finances change. It also covers modifying your order if you lose your job or have new expenses.

5. How to Terminate Child Support in California

Under California law, parents generally can’t just “agree” to drop child support. This article details what legally ends support—like the child finishing high school or a major change in custody. You’ll also see how to petition the court if you believe your circumstances warrant stopping or reducing payments.

6. Paying Child Support for a Non-Biological Child

Sometimes, people must pay child support even if they’re not the child’s biological parent. This article explains legal paternity, “equitable” or “presumed” parenthood, and how those statuses can lead to an obligation to pay. It also covers ways to challenge or end support if you believe you’re being unfairly held responsible.

7. Back Child Support Laws

Even if your child has grown up, unpaid support (also called arrears) doesn’t disappear. This article looks at how different states handle overdue amounts, interest, and collection methods like wage garnishment. It also reveals what can happen if you don’t pay, from credit damage to possible jail time.

8. California Retroactive Child Support

In California, child support can be applied to a period before the official order if a parent files the right paperwork. This article explains the three-year statute of limitations and how courts decide whether to grant support for past months. It also clarifies differences between “retroactive” support and “back” support owed under an existing order.

9. How Can I Get My Child Support Lowered?

Courts won’t reduce payments just because you ask; you must show a significant financial or personal change. This article covers what judges look for—like job losses or high medical costs—and how to request a modification. It also outlines the paperwork, deadlines, and tips to avoid missing future payments while waiting for a decision.

10. New York Retroactive Child Support

New York law lets you ask for support covering the time before your case started—sometimes up to two years or even longer in rare cases. This article details when and why courts award these past-due amounts, plus factors like each parent’s income. It also highlights what happens if you ignore the order or can’t afford the retroactive sum.

These articles show different sides of child support and can guide you on what steps to take. If you’re unsure of your specific case, consider talking to a family law attorney to sort out questions about your rights and responsibilities.