{"id":351695,"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-statistics-and-trends.html"},"modified":"2023-06-08T11:28:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T16:28:35","slug":"child-support-statistics-and-trends","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-statistics-and-trends.html","title":{"rendered":"Child Support Statistics and Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child Support Statistics and Trends<\/h1>\n
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\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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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Statistics can help us understand trends in society. This is true of child support statistics. They help us understand the nuances in child support across the nation. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Even though most parents want to take care of their kid’s financial well-being, child support discussions can cause tension. It’s even worse if you’re going through a difficult divorce<\/a>.
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To fix your situation, it’s good to get legal advice. Or contact your child support services agency for assistance. They can guide you with tasks like modifying or enforcing child support orders. It might help to keep up with child support statistics and trends as you navigate the challenging child support system.<\/p>\r\n

The following is a selection of nationwide statistics. You can also learn about trends in payment and receipt of child support based on the most recently available statistics. Print out FindLaw’s handy guide on ways to ensure that you receive any owed child support<\/a> payments for on-the-go reference.<\/p>\r\n

Child Support Trends: Average Amounts Due and Received<\/h2>\r\n

The amount of child support you must pay depends on the laws of your state<\/a> and your income. Every state has a uniform guideline for child support calculations. These child support guidelines help the family court judges make decisions. Income is the main, but not the only, factor.<\/p>\r\n

There are three types of child support guideline models. The models determine the base child support amount due. Each state generally uses one of the three. For instance, New York uses the Income Shares Model. Wisconsin and Texas use the Percentage of Income Model. Hawaii uses the Melson Formula. Washington, D.C., created a hybrid model.<\/p>\r\n

States differ when it comes to calculating support. But there are statewide universal policies. Most child support recipients get money through income withholding. Child support policies don’t change across state lines regarding enforcement. Past due child support is in "arrears." If you don’t pay your child support obligation, you can face penalties. The federal government can intercept your income tax refunds. States can garnish your paycheck, void your professional licenses, and pursue other enforcement options<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Below are statistics about the average amounts due and received. According to the Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2017<\/a>, published by the U.S. Census Bureau<\/a> in May 2020:<\/p>\r\n