Summaries of State Child Support Laws

Nearly every aspect of family law is governed at the state level, which means the procedures and rules for determining child support payments differ by state. The state must comply with federal regulations on child support. And federal laws, like the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, make connecting child support orders through different states easy. But state law is what you should pay attention to for your child support information.

Depending on your state, you can use the child support agency for different stages in the child support process. For example, they might help with getting the court to establish parentage.

Some of the basics of the child support process are the same regardless of state. When the obligor doesn't pay and the child support is in arrears, they can face penalties. Federal law does allow the government to intercept tax income refunds from parents because of arrearages. States can also use many enforcement methods to ensure that basic child support is paid. The child support enforcement procedures are also similar across the states.

It can all get quite confusing, so it helps to get a handle on your area's state laws, rules, and limitations before negotiating with your child's other parent or guardian.

Common Child Support Principles

All states give minor children the right to financial support from their parents. The amount generally depends on the number of children that need the support. The support is used to fulfill the needs of the child. But states differ on the specifics.

Some states have different rules when it comes to medical support and medical expenses. And for college expenses. In Arizona, for example, the court may not order parents to pay for college after their financial obligation ends when the child is 18. Meanwhile, Kentucky law allows courts to order college tuition payment (on a case-by-case basis). Every child support case is different.

You can use a child support calculator or a worksheet from your state to get an idea of the amount of child support. But you might need more information. The following summaries will help you better understand your state's child support laws, including:

• How amounts are determined
• What childcare costs can child support cover
• When child support ends

State Child Support Laws: Summaries

Alabama. The amount of child support is determined under the Alabama Child Support Guidelines unless the court finds grounds to deviate from the guidelines. In Alabama, the Department of Human Resources enforces child support obligations. The court retains jurisdiction to modify child support, up or down, until the children are 19.

Alaska. Child support is based on the Flat Percentage of Income model. Support terminates at age 18 (19 if the child is enrolled in high school) or the equivalent and resides with a custodial parent. The court may not require either parent to pay for post-majority college tuition.

Arizona. Child support guidelines are based on Income Shares Model, and the award is calculated on gross income. Support terminates at 18 or when the child graduates from high school. The court may not order the parents to pay for the child's college education costs.

Arkansas. Child Support guidelines adopt the Varying Percentage of Income Model, basing the noncustodial parent's obligation on a percentage of net income, which rate decreases as income increases. Support terminates at 18 or when the child graduates from high school. Parents cannot be compelled to pay for their children's college education.

California. An explicit link between custody and child support is made by the provision that a court may order financial compensation to one parent for periods when the other parent fails to assume caretaking responsibility.

Additional financial compensation may be awarded to a parent who the other parent has repeatedly thwarted in attempts to exercise custody/visitation. The court order for child support will state that. Statewide Uniform Guidelines are an Income Shares model, explicitly considering the time each parent has custody of the child.

Colorado. Child Support Guidelines are based on the Income Shares model, based on the gross income of both parents. Support terminates at 18 or when the child graduates from high school. Parents cannot be compelled to pay for their children's college education.

Connecticut. Child Support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, considering both parents' net income. Child support terminates when the child reaches 18 years of age.

Delaware. Delaware uses the Melson Formula in determining child support, based primarily on the parents' net available income. If the court finds these guidelines "unjust or inappropriate" for a given case, it will deviate from them.

District of Columbia. Child support guidelines are a hybrid model, sharing aspects of the income shares and percentage of income model. The award is based on the parties' gross incomes, with a self-support reserve for each parent. By statute, a child is entitled to support until age 21.

Florida. Child Support Guidelines are the Income Shares Model of support figured on net income. Health insurance, childcare, and education expenses are added to the basic award. Support terminates at age 18 or 19 if the child graduates high school by then.

Georgia. Child support is statutory. The flat-percentage-of-income model is calculated on gross income, with most extra expenses being a deviation factor.

Hawaii. Guidelines set out in court rule follow the Melson Formula. Support is calculated on net income, with allowances for household members.

Idaho. Idaho's child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares model. Child support is prioritized over the needs of parents or creditors when determining the allocation of family resources.

Illinois. Child support guidelines are statutory, based on a flat-percentage-of-income-model based on net income.

Indiana. Child support guidelines are set out in the Indiana Rules of Court. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, based on gross income. Support may include sums necessary for a child's education, including post-majority education.

Iowa. Child support guidelines are enacted by the supreme court of Iowa by court rule. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, based on gross income.

Kansas. Kansas uses the Income Shares model for its child support guidelines. The parent paying child support must pay until the child turns 18 (or 19 if they still attend high school).

Kentucky. Child support guidelines are set out by statute. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, based on gross income. Support may include sums necessary for a child's education, including post-majority education.

Louisiana. Child support guidelines are statutory. They are based on the Income Shares Model and are based on the gross income of the parents.

Maine. Child support guidelines are statutory. They are based on the Income Shares Model and based on gross income.

Maryland. Child support guidelines are set out by statute. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and based on gross income.

Massachusetts. Child Support Guidelines are provided in the Massachusetts Court Rules, promulgated by the Supreme Judicial Court. The Massachusetts guidelines are a hybrid form of the Percentage of Income Model and Income Shares Model. Support is calculated on the gross income of the noncustodial parent but then offset by a percentage of the custodial parent's income over a certain floor. Support for the education of the child is through age 21.

Michigan. Child support payments are made through the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau. Child support guidelines are contained in the Michigan Friend of Court Child Support Manual. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and are calculated based on each parent's net income.

Minnesota. Child support guidelines are based on the Varying Percentage of Income formula, calculated on net income.

Mississippi. Child support guidelines are based on the Flat Percentage of Income Model, calculated on net income.

Missouri. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Formula, calculated on gross income.

Montana. Child support guidelines are set out in the Montana Administrative Rules. The support guidelines are based on the Melson Formula, calculated on net income.

Nebraska. Child support guidelines were established by court rule and are contained in the Rules of the Supreme Court. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Formula and are calculated on net income.

Nevada. Child support guidelines are based on the Varying Percentage of Income Model. Support is figured by applying a percentage to the obligor's gross income, which gradually decreases as the income rises.

New Hampshire. Child support amounts are set out by statute. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model based on net income.

New Jersey. Child support guidelines are contained in New Jersey Court Rules. The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model figured on net income.

New Mexico. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, calculated on gross income.

New York. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, calculated on net income.

North Carolina. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and calculated on gross income.

North Dakota. North Dakota calculates child support amounts based on the obligor's income percentage.

Ohio. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model and are calculated on net income. Termination of child support is at 18 or graduation from high school, whichever occurs later.

Oklahoma. Oklahoma uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts. Child support obligation ends when the child turns 18 (or as old as 20 if still in high school).

Oregon. The child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Formula, calculated on gross income.

Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts. Support may continue past age 18 if the child has certain physical or emotional challenges or disabilities.

Rhode Island. Rhode Island uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts. If an obligor is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the amount of support is based on potential income.

South Carolina. South Carolina uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts.

Tennessee. Tennessee uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts. The obligor is responsible for support until the child turns 18 or completes high school.

Texas. Child support guidelines, by statute, are based on a percentage of income of the noncustodial parent's net income. Support terminates at age 18 or graduation from high school, whichever is later. No statute or case law requires support for college.

Utah. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, calculated on gross income. Support terminates at age 18 or when the child graduates from high school. In a divorce action, the court may order support to age 21.

Vermont. Vermont uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts.

Virginia. Virginia uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts. The obligor is responsible for paying support until the child reaches 19 or graduates from high school.

Washington. Washington uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts.

West Virginia. Child support guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, calculated on adjusted gross income. Support terminates at age 18 or 20 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school. The court may award support for college tuition.

Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, child support guidelines are based on a percentage of the obligor's income.

Wyoming. Wyoming uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support amounts.

Find a Qualified Child Support Attorney in Your State

You may be going through a divorce, not getting alimony, or having difficulty getting your ex to provide financial support for child expenses like health care. Maybe they owe past-due support. You may not have much time (or patience) to figure everything out yourself. It's hard to deal with any family court issues. This is one of those legal processes that greatly benefits from the counsel of a legal professional. You can get help with sound legal advice. Get started today by calling an experienced child support attorney near you.