Child support is defined as the ongoing payments of a non-custodial parent to a custodial parent or guardian for the care of the child. Many different circumstances fall within that definition, and child support orders are highly specific to the situation of the child and the parents.

Child support is defined as the ongoing payments of a non-custodial parent to a custodial parent or guardian for the care of the child. Many different circumstances fall within that definition, and child support orders are highly specific to the situation of the child and the parents.

All states set their own guidelines for child support calculation, and they tend to differ greatly. However, most states use the same criteria to determine payments. Typically, courts consider both parents’ financial situation, the standard of living the child became accustomed to before the divorce or separation and the particular needs of the child. The court usually also factors in the amount of time the child spends with the non-custodial parent.

Changing child support orders requires approval of the court even if both parties agree. If both parties do not agree, the one who desires the change must petition the court for a hearing to decide the matter. A number of things can cause a child support order to be changed including a parent changing jobs, the remarriage of custodial parent, a change in child’s needs, medical hardship, change in the law and other factors.  Changes in circumstances that cause the paying parent not to be able to pay must be presented to the court immediately because most judges will not amend child support retroactively or forgive late payments.

If you don’t want to worry about not dropping the soap in jail, you should make paying your child support a top priority. Child support enforcement is stricter than ever, and falling severely in arrears can cause you to be held in contempt and sent to jail.

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