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State-Specific Child Support Information and Guidelines

State-specific child support information and guidelines will vary from state to state, because each state establishes its own laws. These states have their own child support calculators and guidelines parents can use to help estimate child support.

There are common threads that tie child support laws together across the country. But each state has its own laws and procedures.

Most child support enforcement occurs at the local level. States use wage withholding or income withholding orders to get payment from the child support obligors. A number of federal laws and federal regulations reinforce state activities.

How State Law Impacts Child Support

Like other family law issues, such as the custody of the child, the judge will use state law to make child support-related decisions. The court weighs evidence using the “best interests of the child" standard. It also considers the specific needs of the child.

The amount of child support that the noncustodial parent pays depends on state child support guidelines and state law. Likewise, state law will govern the details of modifying the payment amount in a current child support order.

It’s a good idea for parents to get familiar with the relevant law in their child support case. Some states use formulas to divide children’s health care premiums and other health care costs between the parents.

Most states provide calculators for determining child support payments and enforcement data. You can fill out online forms with your demographic information and contact information. It may include the following:

  • The number of children and their ages
  • Who has physical custody
  • Social Security number
  • Children’s health insurance coverage (medical expenses or other medical support)
  • Tax information (tax refunds, income tax returns)
  • Income information (parents’ gross income, self-employment wages)
  • Alimony or spousal support information
  • Any government benefits (public assistance, worker’s compensation, Social Security)
  • Childcare expenses
  • The children’s standard of living when the parents were together

Court orders use state guidelines as the starting point. The final amount of support depends on the unique circumstances of each case. Below you will find links to state-specific child support information and/or guidelines.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Get State-Specific Child Support Information and Help from a Local Attorney

Resources and help for state-specific child support are available from Maine to Minnesota, California to New York. Learn about child support laws and enforcement guidelines in your state. Know your rights. Know your obligations. Know how to get answers. Consider speaking with a family law attorney near you and get some peace of mind.

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