{"id":373945,"date":"2018-12-31T09:40:03","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T14:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-payment.html"},"modified":"2025-05-27T14:23:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:23:11","slug":"massachusetts-child-support-payment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-child-support-payment.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Child Support Payments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Child Support Payments<\/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 or separate, they must decide on important issues like child custody and child support. In a perfect world, they\u2019ll be able to do this without the help of the courts. Sadly, many couples need a judge to determine which parent will pay support and how much child support they\u2019ll pay.<\/p>\r\n

Parents have the option of negotiating child support payments between themselves. For example, the non-custodial parent (NCP) may agree to deposit child support into the other parent\u2019s bank account on a particular day each month.<\/p>\r\n

In other cases, parents rely on the courts to collect and deposit child support obligations. In Massachusetts, the Department of Revenue<\/a> (DOR) collects child support<\/a> directly or through income withholding by deducting money from the other parent’s paycheck.<\/p>\r\n

A child support order<\/a> must be in place before a parent receives child support payments. This article explains how to get the court order and shows how child support payments work in Massachusetts.<\/p>\r\n

If you still have questions about your child support case, refer to the FindLaw resources at the end of this section or contact a Massachusetts family law attorney<\/a> for help.<\/p>\r\n

Filing a Complaint<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

To get child support<\/a> payments in Massachusetts, you must first file a complaint with the court. The specifics depend on whether you’re married to the other parent.<\/p>\r\n

Married to the Co-Parent<\/h3>\r\n

If you’re married and going through a divorce<\/a>, you’ll file your child support complaint in the county where you last lived with your spouse. If you have both moved, you can file in the county where either currently lives.<\/p>\r\n

Not Married to the Co-Parent<\/h3>\r\n

You must establish paternity<\/a> before you can receive child support payments. Massachusetts\u2019 child support services can help you do this.<\/p>\r\n