SupportPay

FAQ - Child Support

Search our FAQ or read answers below.

Child Support Questions

Child support is a legal obligation to help cover a child’s living and medical expenses until they reach adulthood.

  • Both parents are legally responsible.

  • Payments are based on income and custody time, and the goal is for kids to benefit from both parents’ financial support.

  • A court may order one or both parents to pay child support, creating what’s called a “child support order.”

Because you’ve got nothing to hide and everything to gain: Share receipts, track every dollar, and show exactly how much raising a kid really costs. Avoid awkward texts or arguments—SupportPay handles the math and the messaging. Keep a full expense history ready for court, just in case. Spend your energy on parenting, not chasing payments. Win-win for everyone—especially the kids.

A judge, support commissioner, or state agency decides—based on:

  • Both parents’ income (yep, all of it: wages, bonuses, unemployment, disability, etc.)

  • How much time the child spends with each parent
    You can try our child support calculator for an estimate, but your state agency gives the final word.

State systems only handle base support. SupportPay helps you:

  • Track all payments—base, extras, alimony, arrears, and more

  • Upload receipts and notes for anything outside the court-ordered amount

  • Keep full documentation to protect yourself and reduce misunderstandings
    It’s the perfect sidekick to your official setup.

Nope.

  • Base support is set up as recurring payments.

  • Receipts are only required for extra expenses (like medical or school costs).

Absolutely.

  • Track any money exchanged—alimony, spousal, family support, etc.

  • Get clean, year-end totals for tax season.

  • Make audits (and arguments) disappear.

  • State agencies handle basic child support, usually without tracking extras or encouraging communication.

  • SupportPay tracks everything—not just the base amount.

They can:

  • Establish paternity

  • Locate parents

  • Request and enforce court orders

  • Collect and distribute payments

They can’t:

  • Handle custody, visitation, divorce, or restraining orders

  • Set up or manage alimony/spousal support

Yes.

  • Every child support order must include health coverage.

  • If it’s not available now, the court will require it when it is.

Typically until the child turns 18 (or 19 if still in high school full time). Some cases may extend support into adulthood for special circumstances. Owe back support (arrears)? You pay until every last dollar (plus interest) is cleared.

Nope—your case details are confidential.
But… documents filed in court or recorded at the county level? Those are public records.

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