What Is Child Support?

Legal Theory

In most jurisdictions there is no need for the parents to be married, and only paternity and/or maternity (filiation) need to be demonstrated for a child support obligation to be found by a competent court. Child support may also operate through the principle of estoppel (1.) where a de facto parent (2.) that is in loco parentis for a sufficient time to establish a permanent parental relationship with the child or children.

Child support is based on the policy that parents are obliged to pay for the support of their children, even when the children are not living with both biological parents. Though courts typically permit visitation rights to non-custodial parents, in such separations one parent is given custody and the role of primary caregiver. In such cases, the other parent still remains obligated to pay a proportion of the costs involved in raising the child. These costs are often still considered an obligation, even when the other parent has been legally limited or prevented from participating in or making decisions involving the upbringing of the child or children. It is also important to note the custodial parent still must pay a percentage of the costs incurred raising a child, even if a non-custodial parent has been ordered to make child support payments. In Massachusetts, for example, it's the responsibility of the custodial parent alone to pay the first $100 in all uninsured medical costs for each child, per year. Only then will the courts consider authorizing child-support money from a non-custodial parent to be used for said costs.

1. Estoppel is a legal doctrine proposing that any person who asks the courts to enforce a legal remedy should have a clear conscience.

2. A de facto standard, for instance, is a technical or other standard that is so dominant that everybody seems to follow it like an authorized standard.

3. The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent", refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent. For example, state law gives school teachers some areas of responsibility in which they act in loco parentis.

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Child Support News

• N.H. Mom Convicted Of Skipping Thousands In Child Support Boston Herald
CONCORD, N.H. A Manchester, New Hampshire, mother has pleaded guilty to skipping out on more than 18,000 in child support. Thirty seven year old Samantha Bilodeau was
• Unemployed Heche Cant Afford Child Support Stuff
Anne Heche cant afford to continue her 15,000 a month child support payments.
• Dead Beat Mom Owed Nearly 18,500 In Back Child Support New Hampshire Union Le...
A local woman was given a suspended sentence this week after admitting she did not pay 18,439.66 in court ordered child support.
• New Child Support Law In Pennsylvania To Add 25 Fee For Families Getting Aid ...
Gov. Ed Rendell has signed a bill making federally mandated changes to child support laws as the state hopes to avoid losing more than 700 million in federal funds.
• Child Support Agency Plans Public Campaign SSNL West Side Leader
DOWNTOWN AKRON Summit County parents behind on child support payments will be offered the opportunity to pay up this summer.

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