What is Child Support?
Updated January 24, 2026
Ongoing payments made by a non-custodial parent to help cover the costs of raising their child, typically continuing until the child reaches adulthood.
Understanding Child Support
Child support is calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents' incomes, number of children, custody arrangement, and special needs. Support can be modified if circumstances change significantly. Non-payment can result in wage garnishment, license suspension, or contempt charges.
Examples
- 1Monthly payments based on income shares formula
- 2Modification due to job loss or income change
- 3Enforcement through wage garnishment
Related Terms
Child Custody
The legal arrangement determining where children will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing after parents separate or divorce.
Modification
A court-approved change to an existing family law order, such as custody, parenting time, child support or alimony, usually based on a substantial change in circumstances since the order was entered.
Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body, ending the marital relationship and dividing assets, debts, and responsibilities.
Alimony
Court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other during or after divorce, also known as spousal support or maintenance.
Parenting Plan
A written agreement between parents that outlines how they will share time with their children, make decisions, and handle disputes after separation or divorce.
For Family Law cases
In a divorce, the financial record starts in the client’s phone.
Clients upload statements and screenshots, and Quilia lists every account, card and loan it finds, so financial disclosure starts mostly done.
Keep Clients Informed Without the Phone Calls
Quilia's client portal keeps your clients engaged with automated updates, reminders, and document collection, so your team can focus on winning cases.