Once each parent's net income is calculated, the child support guideline is used to determine the percentage of net income to be paid as child support. The example below is a general guideline for calculating child support. The final amount of child support is carefully determined by a judge based on individual case information. For example, the custodial parent and noncustodial parent have 1 child. These percentages are adjusted according to the amount of time each parent spends with the child.
Child support covers only ordinary living expenses for a child.
It does not include childcare, medical bills not paid by insurance, travel expenses for visitation with noncustodial parent or a child's special education needs. Parents must specifically ask the judge to include these additional expenses in the child support order. If they do not, the costs may be divided so each parent pays 50 percent. If you cannot afford an attorney or want to represent yourself, you may have your papers reviewed by the Family Law Self-Help Facilitator . If you need assistance completing paternity or child custody and visitation support forms, you should seek help from the office of the Family Law Self-Help Facilitator.