Child Support Guidelines

Child support issues, specifically who is paying it and how much, are part of the written custody settlement agreement.  This settlement will also spell out who pays for the child's (children's) health insurance, car insurance, dental care, etc. It's best if the two parents can come up with a fair child support amount between themselves, but this does not happen very often.  If it doesn't, then the judge in the case will determine the amount to be paid for each child.  The parent who does not have custody is the one who will pay the support. 

The amount of support paid is determined by two main factors:  the basic needs of the child(ren) (clothing, food, medical care and shelter) and the ability of the non-custodial parent to pay.

The duty to support one's children lasts until the children reach the age of majority (18 in most states), whether or not the custodial parent remarries or not.   If a child becomes emancipated or or gets married before the age of majority, then the obligation to pay child support ceases.  Children born outside of marriage are entitled to the same financial support as children born within a marriage.

Child support is not, at this writing, tax deductible (consult a tax attorney if you have questions).  Nor does the parent receiving the support have to claim it as income.