Getting Child Support
Parents with primary custody of a child, referred to as "custodial parents," often are eligible to receive child support payments from the child's other parent. The following articles cover eligibility, determining the amount of child support, the difference between support by agreement and support by court order, changes to child support and other issues of importance to those seeking child support.
- Guide to Getting Child Support [pdf]
Basics on obtaining child support, support amounts, what it covers and child support modification
- Are You Eligible for Child Support?
How to determine eligibility based on custodial status, paternity and other considerations
- How Much Child Support Can You Receive?
Factors that establish the amount of child support, including income and the child's needs
- What Does Child Support Cover?
What child support covers other than basic needs, including medical care and college expenses
- Getting Child Support Checklist
Steps to take when seeking child support, from locating the other parent to adjusting payment terms
- Child Support by Agreement
How to obtain child support outside of the court, including informal negotiations and mediation
- Child Support by Court Order
The adversarial approach to obtaining child support, whether it's part of a divorce or a separate legal action
- Uninsured Medical Expenses & Child Support
Understanding and enforcing non-custodial parents' responsibility to pay uninsured medical costs
- Child Support & Taxes
Tax information pertaining to child support and non-custodial parents
- Changing the Amount of Child Support Payments
Reasons for increasing or decreasing child support amounts and how to do it