Child support is the amount of regular payments that one parent has to pay another for the costs associated with raising a child. This can be a complex area of family law, and many dealing with its intricacies for the first time have a number of questions. To address the basics, below are answers to common questions about child support.

Top Questions About Child Support

Are child support orders always necessary?

In some cases, parents are able to communicate peaceably and come to their own decisions about child support. Once they agree on an amount, it is written into a child support order and submitted to the family law courts for approval. But not all parents will agree on an appropriate amount of support or even which parent should pay it; in these situations, courts become involved and determine who and how much will be paid.

What if the other parent isn't paying the required child support?

You should file a request with the family law courts to enforce the existing child support order. There are a number of paths the courts might pursue. They could garnish the wages of the nonpaying parent, withhold their tax refund, seize their property, or revoke their driver's license.

My ex and I have joint custody. Who pays child support?

This depends on the state where you live and the amount of time the child spends in each home. In New York, an exact 50/50 shared custody arrangement usually requires the higher-earning parent to pay child support. If the child spends more of their time with one parent in a joint custody situation, the parent they live with less often is typically responsible for child support.

Can child support amounts be changed?

In certain situations, yes. First, consult a family law attorney and file a motion to modify a child support order. This allows you to submit a formal legal request to increase, decrease, suspend, or terminate a child support agreement.

Parents have a legal and ethical obligation to financially support the children they bring into the world. If you’re dealing with a child support issue, trust the family law attorneys at Brown, Burgoon, & Hartnagel, P.C. They have more than 60 years' combined experience serving Rockland and Orange Counties in New York. Call (845) 624-1966 or visit them online to schedule a consultation.