CHILD SUPPORT

Child support refers to payments made by one parent to the other for the needs of their common children. A parent who has physical custody of a child for 50% or more of the time may receive support from the other parent for that parent's share of the support for the child.

How is Child Support Determined?

The amount of child support is determined by using guidelines created by the State of Arizona. Determining the appropriate amount of child support, in applying the Child Support Guidelines, includes taking into consideration:

• the combined income of both parents; whether either parent has other children not common to the parties living with them, or otherwise pays or receives support;
• whether either parent pays or receives spousal maintenance;
• the costs of daycare, and which parent pays for it;
• the costs of health insurance, and which parent pays for it;
• whether the child has any special medical or educational needs;
• the age of the child
• the amount of time the parent paying support actually spends with the child

Can the parties vary from the Court's Child Support Guidelines?

In some circumstances, the parties can request that the Court allow them to vary from the child support guidelines. The Court is not required to allow such a variance.

How is Child Support paid?

Once ordered, child support payments are generally taken directly out of the wages of the party paying support and sent to the Court by that person's employer. The Court then sends the support to the party receiving the child support payments.The Court also keeps accounting records of the exact amounts of child support payments received, and the dates received, in case there are any future disputes.

Can Child Support payments be made in a form other than money?

Child support must be paid in money -- not in clothes or gifts. Child Support must be paid through the Clerk of the Court if there is a court order for support.

How long must Child Support payments be paid?

Child support orders apply to any child under the age of 18, or until the child is 19 if the child is still attending high school or an equivalency program. In addition, if a child is mentally or physically handicapped, the judge may order that support payments continue indefinitely, past the age of majority.

Remember, each case is different. What your friends pays or receives in child support has no bearing on what you may pay or receive. We look forward to talking with you further to explain how child support might be ordered in your case.