State guidelines are very specific in dictating how child support is to be determined and awarded. The child’s best interests are always the most important factor. When parents have joint or shared custody of their children, child support may be requested by and awarded to one parent, so long as it is warranted. Each parent’s income, current living arrangements, and contributions toward health insurance, childcare costs and other expenses will be taken into consideration. In some instances, neither parent will have to pay child support.