Understanding Child Support: What Every Parent Should Know (2025)

By Divorce.com staff
Updated Jul 31, 2025

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Child support can feel overwhelming during an already emotional time like divorce or separation.

But at its core, child support is about one thing: making sure your children continue to have the care, stability, and resources they need to thrive — even as your family structure changes.

Having a formal agreement in place matters more than many realize. According to a 2021 Census Bureau report, over half (57%) of parents who had child support agreements in 2017 received payments.

It’s a strong indicator that legal clarity helps ensure financial support actually reaches the child.

This guide breaks down everything U.S. parents need to know about child support from how it’s calculated to what it covers and what to do when things shift.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a court-ordered payment from one parent to another, meant to help cover the costs of raising a child.

These payments technically belong to the child, not the parent receiving them. They’re used for housing, food, clothing, school supplies, medical care, and more — anything that contributes to the child’s well-being.

Support orders are typically issued during a divorce, legal separation, or custody case. But even if you were never married, you can still go to court to request child support.

Child Support vs. Alimony: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse the two, but they serve very different purposes:

Child support is money paid to support the child’s needs.
Alimony (spousal support) is money paid to support a former spouse who may have been financially dependent during the marriage.

A parent may be ordered to pay both child support and alimony, depending on the situation.

Who Pays Child Support?

Typically, the non-custodial parent (the parent who spends less time with the child) pays child support to the custodial parent.

Even in joint custody arrangements, one parent often still pays support if there’s a gap in income or parenting time.

Child support is about ensuring both parents contribute to their child’s financial needs, even if they’re no longer together.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Child support is based on state-specific guidelines, but the following factors are commonly considered:

1. Each Parent’s Income

Courts look at both parents’ income, including salaries, bonuses, and sometimes benefits or investments. The goal is to set a fair amount based on what each parent can realistically afford.

2. Number of Children

The more children involved, the higher the payment — but not in a linear way. Two children don’t mean exactly double the support; states use formulas that scale with family size.

3. The Child’s Needs

Courts consider:

Health care costs
Special needs
Childcare or after-school programs
Educational expenses
Standard of living before the divorce

4. Custody Arrangement

A parent with sole physical custody usually receives a higher amount since they cover more day-to-day expenses. In joint custody cases, support may be reduced or sometimes eliminated depending on how parenting time and finances are divided.

How Do You Receive Child Support?

Most states use a child support enforcement agency to process payments.

Funds are often deposited onto a state-issued debit card or directly into a recipient’s bank account. This system keeps records and helps avoid disputes.

What Can Child Support Be Used For?

Child support can be used for anything that benefits the child directly or indirectly:

Rent or mortgage payments
Utilities
Food and clothing
School fees and supplies
Transportation
Medical expenses
Childcare
Extracurriculars, gifts, and even family trips

As long as the child’s needs are being met, courts typically don’t monitor how funds are spent.

Can Child Support Be Modified?

Yes. If your financial situation or your child’s needs change significantly, you can request a modification. Examples include:

Job loss or income drop
Major medical expenses
Change in custody arrangement
The paying parent becomes disabled

You’ll need to file a motion with the court and provide documentation. Don’t just stop paying or adjust the amount on your own as only the court can change a support order.

What Happens If a Parent Doesn’t Pay?

Child support is legally enforceable. If someone stops paying:

Wages may be garnished
Tax refunds can be intercepted
Driver’s licenses may be suspended
In severe cases, jail time is possible

If you're the recipient and not receiving payments, contact your local child support agency — not your ex.

What If I Can’t Afford My Payments?

If you’re struggling to pay, don’t wait. Let the court know as soon as possible. They may be able to lower your payments temporarily or permanently, depending on the situation.

Ignoring your obligation can lead to legal trouble even if you're facing real hardship. Communicating with the court is always your best option.

What If I’m Not Sure the Child Is Mine?

You have the right to request a DNA test before being ordered to pay child support. If you’re proven not to be the biological parent, you typically aren’t responsible for payments unless the child was legally adopted.

What If I Disagree With How My Co-Parent Spends Support?

Unless your child is being neglected or placed in danger, courts won’t intervene. If you believe your child is unsafe, you may be able to petition for a custody change.

But in general, once the money is paid, it’s up to the recipient to manage it in a way that supports the child’s needs.

When Does Child Support End?

In most states, child support ends when a child turns 18, but there are exceptions:

If the child is still in high school at 18, payments may continue until graduation.
Support may extend through college or vocational training, depending on the state and court order.
If a child has special needs or a disability, support may continue into adulthood.