Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation that a non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent for the benefit of their child. Child support is intended to provide for the child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. In the eyes of the law, child support is considered the right of the child, rather than the custodial parent, and is intended to ensure that both parents are contributing financially to the child’s upbringing.​

The amount of child support is determined by state law and is based on a variety of factors, including the income of both parents, the number of children involved, and the child’s needs. Child support orders are typically established as part of a divorce or custody proceeding, but can also be requested through a separate child support enforcement action. Once a child support order has been established, the non-custodial parent is legally required to make regular payments to the custodial parent in the amount specified by the court.

Failure to pay child support can result in legal consequences, including wage garnishment, seizure of assets, and even imprisonment in extreme cases.​ Overall, child support is a critical legal mechanism for ensuring that children receive the financial support they need from both parents, and is an important component of any custody or divorce proceeding.