{"id":351696,"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-summaries-of-state-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-06-25T10:23:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T15:23:44","slug":"child-support-summaries-of-state-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-summaries-of-state-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Summaries of State Child Support Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Summaries of State Child Support Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/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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Caring for children and families is a state function. States use laws, including child support laws to carry out this function.  These laws will vary from state to state. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Nearly every aspect of family law is governed at the state level, which means the procedures and rules for determining child support<\/a> payments differ by state. The state must comply with federal regulations on child support. And federal laws, like the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act<\/a>, make connecting child support orders through different states easy. But state law is what you should pay attention to for your child support information.<\/p>\r\n

Depending on your state, you can use the child support agency for different stages in the child support process. For example, they might help with getting the court to establish parentage.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the basics of the child support process are the same regardless of state. When the obligor doesn’t pay and the child support is in arrears<\/a>, they can face penalties. Federal law does allow the government to intercept tax income refunds from parents because of arrearages. States can also use many enforcement methods to ensure that basic child support is paid. The child support enforcement procedures are also similar across the states.<\/p>\r\n

It can all get quite confusing, so it helps to get a handle on your area’s state laws, rules, and limitations before negotiating with your child’s other parent or guardian.<\/p>\r\n

Common Child Support Principles<\/h2>\r\n

All states give minor children the right to financial support from their parents. The amount generally depends on the number of children that need the support. The support is used to fulfill the needs of the child. But states differ on the specifics.<\/p>\r\n

Some states have different rules when it comes to medical support and medical expenses. And for college expenses. In Arizona, for example, the court may not order parents to pay for college after their financial obligation ends when the child is 18. Meanwhile, Kentucky law allows courts to order college tuition payment (on a case-by-case basis). Every child support case is different.<\/p>\r\n

You can use a child support calculator<\/a> or a worksheet from your state to get an idea of the amount of child support. But you might need more information. The following summaries will help you better understand your state’s child support laws, including:<\/p>\r\n