What is child support?

Child support is a legal arrangement established between parents for financial support of their children. It is a legal obligation that parents have to ensure that their children receive sufficient financial resources for their basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare. In Maine, the Department of Health and Human Services oversees child support, and the guidelines set by the state are used when calculating child support awards. Generally, the amount of child support is based on the income of both parents and the number of children in the family. The court will consider the income of both parents, the needs of the children, childcare costs, medical costs, and other related expenses in determining a fair amount of child support. The purpose of child support is to ensure that the children in the family have enough financial support to achieve a standard of living comparable to that of the other parent. Child support payments ensure that the children have the resources necessary to enjoy similar opportunities as their peers. In Maine, child support payments are collected through the Maine State Disbursement Unit and paid directly to the custodial parent. The custodial parent is responsible for making sure the child support funds are used for the child’s needs and not for other purposes. Child support payments may be adjusted according to changes in the financial circumstances of either parent, such as a job loss, a change in income, or other reasons.

Related FAQs

Are there ways to reduce the amount of child support I owe?
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Who pays for child support?
Can I receive retroactive child support payments?
How can parents reorganize their child support agreement?
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Can a grandparent be responsible for child support payments?
Can child support payments be changed after the court order is issued?
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Can child support payments be reduced or suspended?

What is child support?

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