{"id":373943,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-guidelines.html"},"modified":"2025-06-09T14:42:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T19:42:30","slug":"massachusetts-child-support-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-guidelines.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/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

When parents divorce, separate, or otherwise end a relationship, they must make tough decisions that can include child custody and child support. The hope is that the parents can negotiate an equitable child support contract on their own. Unfortunately, that isn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\r\n

In most instances, the parties must go to court to determine whether either parent must make child support payments and, if so, how much these payments should be. The Massachusetts family courts rely on the state child support guidelines to determine this.<\/p>\r\n

While there are exceptions to every rule, the courts use the child support guidelines worksheets to calculate support. Once they determine the amount of child support, they enter it into a child support order.<\/p>\r\n

This article examines how Massachusetts child support guidelines work. It also explains the factors courts consider when determining child support obligations. Contact a local family law attorney<\/a> if you still have questions about your child support case.<\/p>\r\n

Factors the Courts Consider When Calculating Child Support<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

While the courts rely heavily on the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, judges also consider other factors. For example, if the noncustodial parent (NCP) will pay child care and health insurance costs, they may pay less in other monthly child support needs.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the factors the family law judge will take into account when determining child support include:<\/p>\r\n