All 50 states have adopted child support guidelines. Some states use tables that indicate a support amount for different ranges of income, similar to tax tables. Although some states base support on the payor s income, many states use an income shares model, which is based on the income of both parents. Usually, the parent without the child the majority of the time will pay support, but if both parents share time with the child equally, the parent with the greater income usually pays support. The support may be reduced based upon the amount of time the payor spends with the child.
Some states also cap support at a certain income level.
States vary on what expenses are included in child support. For example, some states include medical expenses and day care, while other states add those costs on top of the child support . See table with Child Support Guidelines . However, of the 5.4 million, only slightly more than half received the full amount, while a quarter received partial payment and a quarter received nothing at all. The court has the power to hold a party in contempt for violating a court order.