So you want to start your child support process. Child support can be intimidating if you don’t know how it works! This blog is here to help answer your questions and give you an understanding of child support so you can be more confident moving forward.
Note: There are links attached to certain words that will bring you to a reliable informative site if you need more information on that specific topic.
What is child support?
To put it simply, child support is when one parent pays the other parent to help support their child financially. “Most frequently, child support is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, but this is not always the case” (Wolf). Depending on circumstances and how many children you have, the amount of child support being paid can vary. Child support stays active until the supported child turns 18, unless circumstances demand otherwise. Each state’s child support may look a bit different. Visit this link to find your state and learn about your specific guidelines.
What is child support used for?
The money given to you by child support is meant to financially support the child involved. It’s not intended to be used for the parent’s own personal use. According to Jennifer Wolf at VeryWell Family, child support funds can be used to pay for expenses like:
- Housing
- Food and clothing
- Toys
- Medical expenses
- School expenses
- Extracurricular activities
How do I know if I qualify for child support?
According to an article by Danielle Gilmore, there are a few things that the court analyzes when receiving an application for child support. These things include the necessities of the child, the income and financial situation of both parents, and the physical and emotional state of the child. You can learn more about your child support eligibility by meeting with an attorney.
How do I begin my child support process?
This is the part where you may begin to feel intimidated. You don’t have to be! The basis of the child support process is built up of three steps.
- Have information on the child’s other parent
- First, you’re going to need simple information on your child’s other parent. This could be their employer or workplace, birthdate, address, or social security number. If you have none of these, visit this link to find resources available to help you find more information.
- Confirm paternity
- In order to move forward with child support, you’re going to need proof of paternity for the father. If the father’s identity is in question or the parents are unmarried, some courts will use DNA testing to confirm his paternity, while others may just have the father sign a form where they acknowledge their paternity.
- Find your arrangement agreement and obtain a child support court order
- You and the other parent are allowed to come to an agreement independently. This is called child support by agreement. However, if you do this, you have no legal bind in the agreement. If something goes wrong, the court and the state will not be able to enforce your chosen agreement since it was not solidified legally. This is why it’s recommended to sort out your arrangement in a family court and obtain a child support court order, which is a legally binding document of your agreed upon arrangement.
Can I make an appeal to change my child support amount?
You certainly can make an appeal! If circumstances in the child’s life have changed, you can ask the court to either decrease or increase the amount of child support that you are receiving. You will need to provide proof of the reason you are asking for the change. The court will either accept or deny your request.
How We Can Help
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy or need support, we are here to help you. Schedule your safe and confidential appointment by clicking here, calling us at (530)-272-6800, or texting us at (530)-802-0858.
Sources and Links
Armstrong, Hal. Child Support by Agreement. FindLaw. May 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/child-support-by-agreement.html
Armstrong, Hal. Child Support by Court Order. FindLaw. June 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/child-support-by-court-order.html
Armstrong, Hal. Getting Child Support Checklist. FindLaw. June 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/getting-child-support-checklist.html
Gilmore, Danielle. Child Support Eligibility. FindLaw. June 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/are-you-eligible-for-child support.html#:~:text=The%20
court%20considers%20other%20factors,The%20income%20of%20both%20parents
Gilmore, Danielle. State-Specific Child Support Information and Guidelines. FindLaw. June 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/child-support/state-specific-child-support-information-and-guidelines.html
Mascolo, John. Legal Significance of Paternity. FindLaw. June 2023.
https://www.findlaw.com/family/paternity/legal-significance-of-paternity.html
Wolf, Jennifer. The Purpose of Child Support. VeryWell Family. June 2020.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/child-support-legal-definition-2997472
Cathy Seapy
CEO
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