What is the difference between child support and child care?

Child support and child care are both arrangements made to help cover the expenses associated with raising a child, but there are distinct differences between the two. While child support is a payment made from one parent to another to cover a portion of the costs associated with raising the child, child care is any type of care or services provided to the child, either by one of the parents or by a third-party provider. Child support payments may be court-ordered or voluntarily agreed upon by the two parents, and must be paid by the non-custodial parent. Payments are generally based on the financial resources of the non-custodial parent, their income, and the costs associated with raising the child. In Massachusetts, the amount of child support payments is determined by a standard formula known as the “child support guidelines.” Child care, on the other hand, is not necessarily court-ordered or tied to the incomes of either parent. It is an arrangement made between the two parents to provide physical care for the child, either by one of the parents or by a third-party such as a daycare, babysitter, or nanny. In many cases, one or both parents may also provide educational, emotional, or spiritual care to their child. In summary, child support is a payment from one parent to another to cover the costs associated with raising a child, while child care involves the physical care of the child and is usually provided by one of the parents or a third-party provider.

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What is the difference between child support and child care?

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