Ohio Child Support Payments
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed April 30, 2018
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You've just received a text from your ex-wife informing you to pay for your daughter's cheerleading uniform. A follow-up text reminds you to buy soap and shampoo before your weekend visit. You're taken aback because you've already made your monthly child support payment and wonder about the additional expenses. When confronting situations like this, it's important to understand what types of expenses are covered by child support. Additionally, it's important to acknowledge that making payments in an accurate and timely manner is critical because children are entitled to the financial support of both parents.
Duration of Child Support Payments
In Ohio, a parent's duty to pay child support is in effect until the child reaches the age of majority (18) or emancipation. In some cases, payments extend beyond the child turning 18. For instance, a child may need care due to a disability or the parents may have agreed and formalized continuing child support as part of their separation agreement during their divorce or dissolution.
Ohio Child Support Payments at a Glance
When attempting to understand the law, it's often overwhelming to read lengthy statutes; a plain language version is a great starting place for becoming more acquainted with the law. See the chart below for an easy to read summary of the laws that cover Ohio's child support payments.
Statutes |
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Coverage of Child Support Payments |
Beyond the everyday household costs such as food, clothing, and basic living expenses, there are other expenses that aren't generally covered under the child support payments unless specifically included in an agreement. Examples of expenses not covered by child support:
How Monthly Payments are Allocated Ohio law establishes an order by which the monthly child support payments are distributed.
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Making and Receiving Payments |
All payments are processed by Ohio's Child Support Payment Central. Making Payments Payments are made in the following ways:
The court or child support enforcement agency can't retroactively modify a parent's duty to pay a delinquent support payment. Receiving Payments The state uses the Ohio e-Quick Pay Debit Card as a secure and convenient way to have payments automatically deposited to a personal prepaid Mastercard account. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Ohio Child Support Payments: Related Resources
- Ohio Family Laws
- Ohio Child Custody Laws
- Ohio Child Support Enforcement
- Child Support Amounts
- How Much Child Support Will You Pay?
Contact an Ohio Child Support Attorney
If you're constantly paying for everyday expenses, then you might want to investigate whether your child's parent is using the payments appropriately. If you have concerns about either sending or receiving child support payments, then you should contact a knowledgeable child support attorney to discuss your options.
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