What is the difference between child support and child maintenance?

Child support and child maintenance are both terms used in the context of family law in New York. Both are intended to provide financial help to provide basic necessities for children of divorced or separated parents, such as food, clothing and shelter. Child support is the amount of money that one parent must pay to the other parent to support their child. This payment is usually made monthly, and the amount is determined by a court or a state guideline, based on the parents’ income and the needs of the child. Child support payments may also cover health insurance premiums, educational expenses, daycare, or any other necessary costs. Child maintenance is a different type of payment altogether. This is a financial support payment made from one parent to the other to cover the costs of raising the child. This payment isn’t mandatory like child support; it is voluntary, and it is usually not set by a court or a state guideline. The amount and frequency of payments are agreed upon by both parties. In summary, child support is a court-ordered payment based on the income of both parties; it usually covers the costs of basic necessities for the child. Whereas, child maintenance is a voluntary payment made from one parent to the other to cover the costs of raising the child, and the amount and frequency of payments is decided between the parties.

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What is the difference between child support and child maintenance?

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