Child Support
"Child Support" is money a parent pays to support their children when their children don't live with them.
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18 Results
Overview of child support in Massachusetts
Learn how child support works and how to get it.
Child support for young adults age 18 to 22
What happens to child support if a child is age 18 to 22?
Common questions about changing a child support order
Learn when you can change a child support order and what kind of changes you can ask for.
Child support if a parent is in jail
What happens to child support if one parent is in jail?
Child support includes health care
A child support order must include health care coverage. Parents can: Provide health care coverage through their employer. Buy health care coverage on their own. Get health care coverage for their children through MassHealth. Give the court...
Child support orders if one parent lives outside of Massachusetts
Even if one parent lives outside of Massachusetts, they still must pay child support if there is an order. The following are some questions that come up when one parent lives out of state.
Child support when the other parent has abused you
What to keep in mind when there is domestic violence and you are thinking about filing for child support.
Common questions about ending a child support order
Learn about when you may want to go to court to end a child support order.
DOR enforcement actions: suspending licenses or taking bank accounts
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has a Child Support Enforcement Division (DOR/CSE). The DOR/CSE helps parents get child support orders, helps parents change child support orders, and makes sure that parents pay their child support...
Getting help with child support from DOR
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has a Child Support Enforcement Division (DOR/CSE). The DOR/CSE gets child support orders, helps parents change child support orders, and makes sure that parents pay their child support orders. You...
How do I ask the court to enforce a child support order (contempt actions)?
If the other parent disobeys the child support order, you can take them back to court. You file a Complaint for Contempt. In a contempt case, you ask the court to decide that the other parent is in “contempt.” “Contempt” means not obeying...
How much child support will a judge order?
The amount of a child support order is based on the income and expenses of both parents. Massachusetts has Child Support Guidelines, which help judges decide how much child support to order.
How to ask for child support as part of a 209A restraining order case
Getting child support as part of a 209A restraining order is an important decision. Child support can help you and your children. But only you can decide if you need child support to keep you and your children safe. Only you can decide if...
How to change (modify) or end a child support order in court
Only a court can change (modify) a chid support order, or end a child support order early. You must follow the child support order until a judge changes or ends it. This "how to" explains the steps you must take if you want to start a case...
How to file for child support if you are married to the other parent
You get a Child Support Order by first filling out court forms. The forms are different for parents who are married, and parents who are not married to the other parent . This "how to" explains how to file for child support if you are...
How to file for child support if you are not married to the other parent
You get a Child Support Order by first filling out court forms. The forms are different for parents who are married, parents who are not married to the other parent . This "how to" explains how to file for child support if you are not...
How to fill out the child support guidelines worksheet
Judges use the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to figure out how much child support to order. To fill out the Worksheet you need to have income and expense information for both parents. Use the other parent’s Financial Statement if you...
What if I owe child support and DOR is involved?
There are many steps that DOR can take if you owe back child support. This article has information about what you can do if you can't pay or if you disagree with the amount that DOR says you owe. Important If your situation has changed and...