Also, support can be withheld from the paying party's paycheck or the party can be ordered to pay the money to Support Enforcement who will distribute it to the other party. Generally speaking the parents combined net income is used in the statutory formula to determine the amount of child support, after considering the number of children involved. The paying party's part is calculated in proportion to the other parent's income. The child support guidelines have gone a long way towards eliminating Court battles over child support but disputes still arise. One spouse may claim that the other has more income than is being reported, or a spouse may claim that the other is capable of earning more than they do.
Courts do under certain circumstances have the authority to alter the guideline amount.
This is rather rare however, and can only be done if sufficient reasons which are listed in the statute are given.