{"id":351706,"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\/how-much-child-support-can-you-receive.html"},"modified":"2024-10-31T10:25:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T15:25:00","slug":"how-much-child-support-can-you-receive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/how-much-child-support-can-you-receive.html","title":{"rendered":"How Much Child Support Can You Receive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">How Much Child Support Can You Receive?<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/danielle-gilmore-esq\/\">Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/john-mascolo-esq\/\">John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            October 31, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Child support orders are generally tailored to each family&#8217;s specific situation. The court will look at different factors and the state&#8217;s child support guidelines to calculate child support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Not everyone is entitled to receive child support. But, the courts generally award support to one parent during a divorce or a legal separation. They may award support even when parents are not ever married. In most cases, the non-custodial parent makes child support payments to the parent with physical custody of the child.<\/p>\n<p>After the court determines your eligibility, they calculate the child support amount. The judge uses standards unique to your state&#8217;s child support laws.<\/p>\n<h2>Factors Considered When Calculating Child Support<\/h2>\n<p>Every state has its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/state-specific-child-support-information-and-guidelines.html\">child support regulations and guidelines<\/a>. Each family court judge or commissioner will have their methods and interpretations of these&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-guidelines.html\">child support guidelines.<\/a>&nbsp;You can use a child support calculator to gauge the amount of child support you can receive in your child support case.<\/p>\n<p>You input your gross income, net income, and the number of children to use in the calculation. The guideline calculator is similar to the court&#8217;s worksheet to set the basic child support obligation.<\/p>\n<p>When calculating child support, most states consider the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The custody arrangement and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/alternative-worksheet-custody-visitation-schedule.html\">amount of time<\/a> the child spends with each parent (parenting time)<\/li>\n<li>The financial needs of the child, including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/college-expenses-and-child-support-faq.html\">education,&nbsp;<\/a>daycare\/child care, medical expenses (health care\/health insurance), and any special needs<\/li>\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-determining-parents-income.html\">income<\/a>&nbsp;and ability of the parent to provide financial support<\/li>\n<li>The child&#8217;s standard of living before any separation or divorce<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is no universal formula for factoring the amount of time that the parent spends with their child. Each state uses parenting time in a different way to calculate child support. State courts use different calculation methods depending on the nature of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/types-of-child-custody.html\">custody arrangement<\/a>. So, this process can be complicated.<\/p>\n<p>In&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/oh\/title-xxxi-domestic-relations-children\/oh-rev-code-sect-3119-051\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ohio<\/a>, the State formula provides an automatic 10% decrease in the support amount if the paying parent has 90 or more overnights of parenting time in a year. If the paying parent exercises substantially more than 90 overnights, the court may decrease support further.<\/p>\n<p>Your state may consider additional criteria. For example,&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/selfhelp-support.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California<\/a>&nbsp;court orders also consider the costs of parents&#8217; union dues and retirement contributions. Travel for visitation is another consideration.<\/p>\n<h2>Determining Parents&#8217; Income and Ability to Pay<\/h2>\n<p>The court often factors the number of children into the calculation, so the paying parent will contribute more for each additional child.<\/p>\n<p>In Alaska, the state uses a &quot;percentage of income&quot; model. Here is an example from the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/public.courts.alaska.gov\/web\/forms\/docs\/dr-310.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alaska Court System<\/a>&nbsp;for a primary custody arrangement.<\/p>\n<p>The focus of this model is on the income of the non-custodial parent. To figure out how much the noncustodial parent pays, you multiply their income by 20% for one child. Use 27% for two children and 33% for three children. Then add 3% for every additional child.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, say the father earns $20,000. The mother multiplies $20,000 by .27 if they have two kids. In this scenario, the father pays the mother $5,400 annually. Here is how much the father pays annually if they had more than two children:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$6,600 for three children<\/li>\n<li>$7,200 for four children<\/li>\n<li>$7,800 for five children<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In Maryland, the state uses an &quot;income shares&quot; model. Maryland provides an online calculator, as do many other states. You can use the Maryland Department of Human Resources&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us\/dashboardclient\/#\/csocDisclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spreadsheet<\/a>. You enter income and custody information. The spreadsheet will automatically calculate the probable total child support.<\/p>\n<p>Courts determine child support payments primarily by the parents&#8217; incomes. Courts carefully consider every potential source of income from both parents. This is regardless of the final custody arrangement. Remember that income is not just salary and wages. It also includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Self-employment earnings<\/li>\n<li>Social Security benefits<\/li>\n<li>Worker&#8217;s compensation<\/li>\n<li>Alimony or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/spousal-support-alimony-basics.html\">spousal support<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You should make a detailed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/questionnaire-child-support-calculation-information.html\">list of all your sources<\/a>&nbsp;of income and expenses.<\/p>\n<p>You might need clarification on whether the court&#8217;s calculation uses a particular income source. Check your specific state laws and consult with your attorney for legal advice. If you can&#8217;t afford an attorney, look for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/do-you-need-a-lawyer\/state-legal-aid-resources.html\">legal aid<\/a>&nbsp;office in your county or contact your state&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/state-public-assistance-welfare-information.html\">public assistance<\/a>&nbsp;department.<\/p>\n<p>All states have a child support enforcement (CSE) division and a local child support agency office for your state&#8217;s division is likely in your county. Generally, they provide free child support services.<\/p>\n<h2>State Models for Child Support Calculations<\/h2>\n<p>States have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/human-services\/child-support-guideline-models\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">three different models<\/a>&nbsp;for calculating child support. Here are the child support models:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Income Shares Model<\/h3>\n<p>This is the most common model. The court determines how much of the parents&#8217; combined income a child needs. This plays out differently in each state because they use different formulas under the model.<\/p>\n<p>For example, under Massachusetts law, they calculate the support twice. Both calculations assume that the parent is the custodial parent. The parent with the higher income pays the difference between the two calculations to the other parent.<\/p>\n<p>Maryland also uses this model but with a different formula. The Maryland Department of Human Resources <a href=\"https:\/\/mydhr.mymdthink.maryland.gov\/dashboardclient\/#\/csocDisclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">provides a&nbsp;spreadsheet<\/a>&nbsp;that automatically calculates the probable child support when you enter income and custody information.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Percentage of Income Model<\/h3>\n<p>In this model, the court sets child support based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent&#8217;s income only. They don&#8217;t use the custodial parent&#8217;s income at all. Alaska follows a version of this model. Here is an example to show what the non-custodial parent would pay:<\/p>\n<p>Your co-parent makes $2,000 a month from various sources. The court does not factor in your income. The judge orders a flat percentage of 25% of their income to go to you for child support. This means that you collect $500 a month.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Melson Formula Model<\/h3>\n<p>This model is a more complicated version of the Income Shares Model. However, the main difference is that it considers parents&#8217; needs in addition to the child&#8217;s needs. And the model provides parents with more support if one or both parents&#8217; income increases. Here&#8217;s how it works in Montana:<\/p>\n<p>Montana combines the parents&#8217; income to get the total amount available for child support. Then divides each parent&#8217;s income by the total to get each parent&#8217;s share of the child&#8217;s support. Then multiply the parent&#8217;s personal allowance by a number based on the number of children in the child support order.<\/p>\n<h2>Enforcement of Child Support Awards<\/h2>\n<p>The federal government has made efforts to help parents collect child support. Lawmakers passed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/archives\/ag\/prosecutive-guidelines-and-procedures-child-support-recovery-act-1992#:~:text=The%20Child%20Support%20Recovery%20Act%20of%201992,-The%20Child%20Support&amp;text=102%2D521%2C%20makes%20the%20willful,imprisonment%20and%2For%20a%20fine.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Child Support Recovery Act of 1992<\/a>&nbsp;and the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998. But, if you need help enforcing a child support order, you must look locally.<\/p>\n<p>When the child support obligor works for a W-2 company, their employer withholds child support through wage garnishment or an income withholding order. When the child support obligor is self-employed, there is no wage withholding order.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the obligor parent doesn&#8217;t always pay court-awarded child support on time. Sometimes it isn&#8217;t paid at all. The obligor may try to avoid their legal responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>You can get assistance from your local child support enforcement agency. The office of child support enforcement near you can use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-enforcement.html\">various enforcement actions<\/a> when a parent hasn&#8217;t paid child support. Some of the things that they can do include the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suspend driver&#8217;s licenses<\/li>\n<li>Suspend occupational and professional licenses<\/li>\n<li>Deny passports<\/li>\n<li>Place liens on property<\/li>\n<li>Seize funds in bank accounts<\/li>\n<li>Intercept income tax refunds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The obligor parent may also be subject to contempt of court charges. They could also face criminal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/enforcement-and-collection-of-back-child-support.html\">non-support charges<\/a> in some extreme cases.<\/p>\n<h2>How Much Child Support Can You Receive? Talk to a Lawyer<\/h2>\n<p>Many factors influence child support determinations. As a result, you may need clarification as you navigate your concerns around this issue. In arguing for a fair award, it&#8217;s best to contact an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/child-support\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">child support attorney<\/a>&nbsp;who understands child support calculations and can advocate on your behalf.<\/p>\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" 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fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                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was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Some states allow you to set up child support with forms and court processes\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You may need legal help to set up or modify child support arrangements\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    If there is conflict, an attorney can advise if the other parent&#8217;s actions are legal\u00a0\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored advice about paying or receiving child support. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/child-support\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL24\" title=\"Family Law Attorney Directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                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rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce.html\">\n                        Divorce Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/marriage.html\">\n                        Marriage Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n  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                        <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/same-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Same Sex Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/fathers-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Father&#8217;s Rights Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Divorce Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/custody-visitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Custody and Visitation Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adoption Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"actionImageCard aem-GridColumn aem-GridColumn--default--12\">\n    <div class=\"fl-image-card\">\n                <div class=\"fl-image-card__content\">\n            <div class=\"action-card-layout\">\n                <h2 class=\"action-card-layout__heading\">\n                    Don&#8217;t Forget About Estate Planning\n                <\/h2>\n                <div class=\"action-card-layout__content fl-text-lg\">\n                    <p>Once new child support arrangements are in place, it\u2019s an ideal time to create or change your&nbsp;<a title=\"DIY Forms\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\">estate planning forms<\/a>. Take the time to add new beneficiaries to your will and name a guardian for any minor children. Consider creating a financial power of attorney so your agent can pay bills and make sure your children are provided for. A health care directive explains your health care decisions and takes the decision-making burden off your children when they become adults.<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\" class=\"action-card-layout__button fl-button fl-link-button secondary\">\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Start Planning<\/span>\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How much child support you can receive depends on a number of factors, including your child&#8217;s actual needs, your income, and the laws of your state. Learn about how much child support you can receive and more at FindLaw&#8217;s Family Law Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":351672,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2730],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-351706","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-family"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351706\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351706"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=351706"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=351706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}