{"id":351692,"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-laws-by-state.html"},"modified":"2023-06-08T15:54:25","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T20:54:25","slug":"child-support-laws-by-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-laws-by-state.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support Laws by State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Support Laws by State<\/h1>\n
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\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
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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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Every state has its own child support laws and guidelines, so they will vary from state to state. As a result, there is some variation in how states calculate child support. The court will use the state’s guidelines to make a determination.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

If you’re not with your child’s other parent, child support<\/a> is one of the first things to consider. <\/p>\r\n

How Do States Calculate Child Support?<\/h2>\r\n

State laws have different formulas to calculate child support<\/a>. Child support is formulated at the state level, but some federal guidelines exist under the Child Support Enforcement Act. Each state uses its own child support guidelines<\/a>. Because each state sets up its own child support system, there is considerable variation between states in how they calculate child support. But, most states look at the following criteria at a minimum based on several factors including:<\/p>\r\n