Child Support

The amount of child support depends on many factors, but is primarily based on the needs of the children and their parents’ ability to pay. 

Children come first

• Child support must be paid until the child reaches age 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, but not beyond 19 years and six months of age.
• Child support can be modified if a parent shows that a change in circumstances warrants a change.
• Child support is paid through the Friend of the Court, unless the recipient requests child support payments to be paid directly to him/her.
• Nonpayment of court-ordered support may lead to a contempt of court citation, resulting in a jail term. Don’t wait to enforce child support: the statute of limitations runs out after 10 years.

Health insurance for minor children

Federal law requires parents to provide health insurance coverage for children if either parent has a plan that covers minor children. This law applies to custodial and noncustodial parents. Parents share uninsured health care costs in proportion to their incomes.

Child Support and Child Support after Age 18