How does child support work if parents live in different states?
Asked by: Esteban Bergstrom | Last update: December 9, 2025Score: 5/5 (9 votes)
Any support order issued remains valid and will likely be enforced by the state the paying parent now resides in. Your legal responsibilities don't change by moving to another state. If you owe money for child support (or are owed money), you are still covered by the existing agreement.
How is child support determined if parents live in different states?
For example, if the parent who's required to pay support moves from California to Colorado and falls behind in payments, the state of California has jurisdiction and the legal right to take action against that parent. If both parents move, the original issuing state can transfer its jurisdiction to that new location.
What state is the hardest on child support?
The varying yardsticks create some surprising results. For example, New Jersey ranks 47th in child support payments, even though it's one of the most expensive states in which to live. Massachusetts is first, and Nevada second.
How to keep up with child support payments?
One way to keep making your child support payments and avoid the consequences of missing them is to take out a private loan. If you're already in arrears, those extra funds can be used to get caught up and to make it easier to meet future payments as you work through your financial situation.
How is custody determined when parents live in different states?
- Home State: Generally, custody matters are decided in the child's home state.
- Residency: Typically, a child must have lived in a state for at least six months for that state to claim jurisdiction in custody matters.
Child Custody When Parents Live in Different States
Can I get full custody if the father lives in another state?
In most situations, you can file for custody in the “home state” of the child. The “home state” is the state where the child has lived (with a parent or a person acting as a parent) for at least the last six consecutive months before a parent files for custody - however there are exceptions to this rule.
How to co-parent when you live in different states?
- Optimize communication between parents.
- Fully utilize available technology.
- Integrate into child's life.
- Enhance flexibility.
- Develop travel protocol.
What happens if I can't afford child support?
Failing to pay child support in California can have severe and far-reaching consequences. From monetary penalties and credit score damage to asset seizures and license suspensions, the repercussions are daunting.
What is the biggest factor in calculating child support?
Parental Income
Both parents' gross income is a critical starting point. Income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, dividends, unemployment benefits, and more. Courts also consider non-monetary perks like housing or vehicles provided by an employer.
How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?
Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.
What state pays the highest in child support?
Massachusetts parents are paying the most in child support
The app reports that the average parent in Massachusetts pays $1,187 per month for child support. For comparison, New Jersey parents pay just $424. New Jersey ranks at 47th in the country when it comes to payment averages.
How much do most dads pay in child support?
The average child support payment in California comes in at around $500 per month. Other estimates put the number at around $425 on the low end and approximately $800 for a high average. Of course, these numbers are just a rough estimate of what the average person pays monthly for child support.
How much does a child cost per month?
How much does raising a child cost yearly? The $288,094 figure can seem incredibly intimidating — but remember, that cost is spread out over 18 years. Taking a rough average, that's around $16,005 per year — or approximately $1,334 per month.
What happens if you owe child support in another state?
For one, an individual is subject to federal prosecution if he or she willfully fails to pay child support that has been ordered by a court for a child who lives in another state, or if the payment is past due for longer than 1 year or exceeds the amount of $5,000.
How much is child support for one child in the USA?
To calculate it by long hand, take the Combined Parental Income (but only up to $141,000) and multiply it by the applicable Child Support Percentages (1 child in the care of the custodial parent: 17%, 2 children: 25%, 3 children: 29%, 4 children: 31%, 5 or more children: 35% or more).
Does child support stop if a child moves out?
If your child, who is below the age of 18, moved out of the other parent's house, you may be able to request child support modifications. You might be able to ask for child support termination if your child no longer lives with the other parent.
What race pays the most in child support?
Non-Hispanic Black noncustodial parents owe the highest level of child support orders compared to non- Hispanic White noncustodial parents, partly due to the higher proportion of non- Hispanic Black parents who have children with multiple partners.
Does child support verify income?
Upon request, employers must provide information to state child support agencies about employees, including employment status and information on wages, income, withholdings, and possible health insurance. States use this information to establish and enforce child support orders.
How much child support do I pay if I make $1000 a week in NJ?
Using these numbers, the court will determine the weekly payment amount using Appendix IX-F, Schedule of Child Support Awards. For a hypothetical example, if two parents have one child and jointly earn $1,000 per week, then the non-custodial parent must pay $233 in child support each week.
Does the state pay child support if the father doesn't?
To qualify to receive the other parent's tax refund for back child support, you need to make sure that you are enrolled in a tax intercept program, which you can do by contacting your local child support office or family law attorney While the state does not pay child support if the father doesn't, if you or your child ...
How many people go to jail for not paying child support?
If one only considers the substantial cost of incarceration, it becomes a very expensive option for enforcing child support orders. Nonetheless, according to one estimate 50,000 people are incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails for nonpayment of child support.
Can I get an apartment if I owe child support?
This can result in a lower credit score and make it more difficult to qualify for loans, credit cards or other forms of credit in the future. Having delinquent child support payments on your credit report can also affect your ability to rent an apartment, secure a job or obtain insurance.
How does child custody work if parents live in different states?
As such, if parents or guardians involved in a child custody dispute live in different states, the court will generally award one of the parents/guardians sole or primary physical custody of their kids.
Can a single mom move out of state with child?
You're generally free to move with your child if you aren't married to the other parent, the child has been living with you, and neither parent has filed a custody proceeding. However, keep in mind that both parents (whether married or not) have parental rights over their children, with or without a court order.
How to split custody of a child?
- Alternating weeks schedule when the child lives with one parent for one week and the other parent the next week.
- Two weeks each schedule when the child lives with one parent for two weeks and the other parent the next two weeks.