{"id":351682,"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-by-agreement.html"},"modified":"2023-05-30T10:27:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T15:27:15","slug":"child-support-by-agreement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-by-agreement.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support by Agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Support by Agreement<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Hal Armstrong, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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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
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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

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Although courts usually impose a child support order, parents can negotiate their own child support agreement. The parents can use an attorney or mediator to craft an agreement to submit to the court. If the court approves the agreement, it is binding on both parties. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

There are two ways that a child support agreement<\/a> can be reached outside of court:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Parents can reach an agreement using informal settlement negotiations.<\/li>\r\n
  2. Parents can use a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution<\/a> (ADR), such as mediation or collaborative family law.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Child Support by Agreement: Informal Negotiations<\/h2>\r\n

    Some parents want legal advice, but it’s not mandatory. If parents are willing, they can negotiate their child support agreement with or without the assistance of attorneys. The issues that must be decided include:<\/p>\r\n