Child maintenance and child custody are considered different concerns by the court. To summarize, regardless of parenting experience or skill, a parent is required to pay child support. No of what type of custody and/or visitation agreements are in place, a child is entitled to receive financial assistance. The court will consider the parents' circumstances when determining how much money should be sent each month. In addition to monetary awards, the court can give parents rights and responsibilities with regard to their children. This could include granting permission for contact through phone calls, emails, or text messages. It may also include granting visitation times or even ordering up north parents to travel down south for visits. Parents need to understand that the court only has authority over their children. If you have no legal obligation to provide child support but still want to contribute financially, there are several options available to you. For example, you could make an award of joint physical custody, which means that the children would spend equal time with both parents. Or, if you believe it's in the best interest of the child, you could grant sole custody to one parent. The court cannot order a parent to take medication, undergo therapy, or participate in any other form of treatment without the other parent's consent. The court can modify an existing order so long as there has been a change in circumstances.