{"id":351707,"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-will-you-pay.html"},"modified":"2024-12-09T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T18:39:00","slug":"how-much-child-support-will-you-pay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/how-much-child-support-will-you-pay.html","title":{"rendered":"How Much Will I Pay in Child Support?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

How Much Will I Pay in Child Support?<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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
\n

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

\n

Parents who don’t have physical custody of their child must pay child support to help cover the child’s basic needs. Non-custodial parents can pay the custodial parent directly or to the state for distribution to the custodial parent. State guidelines determine how much child support a non-custodial parent must pay.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Courts look at different factors when determining a child support award, including state guidelines<\/a>. The state guidelines can give you an estimate of a potential award, but that estimate is not binding. The court will tailor an award based on multiple factors. <\/p>\r\n

Your percentage can depend on which parent makes more money and the level of child custody you have. It also depends on the amount of time you spend with your child, including overnights and other parenting time. This percentage is what you will have to pay. States have individual laws on what is deductible and how high the percentage is.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains basic child support laws<\/a> to help you understand how much child support you may pay. It also covers various child support payment issues.<\/p>\r\n

Why Child Support Exists<\/h2>\r\n

Every child has a legal right to be financially supported<\/a> by both parents. This is true whether the parents were ever married or if one parent doesn’t take an active role in raising the child. In the eyes of the law, children should not be deprived just because they don’t live in the other parent’s household.<\/p>\r\n

The parent with primary physical custody<\/a> of a child receives child support. The non-custodial parent pays the support. This is the situation in most cases.<\/p>\r\n

But what is the basic child support obligation? Legal guidelines in each state help establish the amount of child support<\/a> one parent must pay to the other.<\/p>\r\n

What Non-Custodial Parents Should Know About Child Support Agreements<\/h2>\r\n

A child support agreement is a document that helps ensure the non-custodial parent makes child support payments to the custodial parent. The deal is made by mutual agreement<\/a> or via court order.<\/p>\r\n

Parents may and sometimes do agree about the child support payment. They may decide as part of a divorce agreement<\/a>. Or they can agree on the support issue alone. When parents agree, they can get the family court’s final approval. Without a child support order, the paying parent has no legal obligation to pay child support.<\/p>\r\n

All parents are responsible for the financial support of their children. But they will only suffer legal consequences for non-payment if their obligation was legally established by administrative or court order<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The agreement outlines the terms. It will usually include the following:<\/p>\r\n