Guidelines set by the federal government provide an objective basis for determining the amount of child support to be paid. Most states have established formulas that are used to determine the amount of child support payment from one parent to another.

There are a variety of ways to enforce the payment of child support. Those seeking child support should submit their claim to a court and obtain an order for the payment of child support.

Most states have child support guidelines that establish the ordinary support required to raise and care for children. Generally, the income of both parents is used to determine the percentage of each parent's child support obligation.

A parent who doesn't have custody of his or her children may or may not have to contribute to the children's medical and educational expenses. In some states, medical expenses aren't included in the monetary amount of child support.

An order for child support can be changed or modified any time there is a material change in circumstances from the time the existing order was issued.

Child support is obtained through a 'child support order.' A child support order is a legal document issued by a court that states when, how often, and how much a parent is to pay for child related expenses.

An order for child support will terminate when certain requirements established by state law have been met. For example, child support will most often terminate when the child reaches the age of twenty-one.