In Minnesota children have the right to be financially supported by their parents. Child support is a court order of financial support for a child. There are several different ways that child support can be requested, however, it is generally requested by one of the child’s parents. Child support is calculated based on child support guidelines and child custody can play a role in child support calculations.
Child support includes three categories of support. Basic support is intended to pay for the child’s housing, food, clothing, transportation, education costs and other expenses for the child. Medical support is intended to pay for medical and dental insurance and payments for uninsured or unreimbursed medical and dental expenses. Child care support is intended to pay for child care associated with a parent’s time at work or school.
Paying and receiving child support is an important concern for many parents. Child support enforcement measures can present serious consequences for parents who fail to pay required child support. It is helpful for recipient parents to be familiar with child support enforcement options but also for paying parents to be familiar with child support modification options that may be available in some circumstances. Parents receiving child support also likely wish to be aware of child support modification options.
Child support can be a complicated issue touching on financial and emotional concerns of many parents. Because of the importance of child support to all parties involved, the family law process provides resources for both paying and recipient parents to ensure the best interests of the child are served.
Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch, “Child Support,” Accessed Feb. 14, 2016
