{"id":351677,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-support\/child-support-amounts.html"},"modified":"2024-11-11T12:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T17:24:00","slug":"child-support-amounts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-amounts.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support Amounts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Child Support Amounts<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

States set general child support guidelines when determining child support amounts. The court will consider the child’s needs, including child care expenses and health insurance. It will also consider the income of both parents. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Some states give their judges more leeway in setting the actual amount as long as they follow general state child support guidelines. Other states<\/a> have strict guidelines that leave the judges with little discretion.<\/p>\n

The judge considers the needs of the child. These needs include:<\/p>\n