BPA Family Law
Child Support: Helping Parents Provide for Their Children Fairly, Clearly & Without Conflict
Raising a child comes with countless joys, and just as many responsibilities. When parents live apart, one of the most important questions that must be answered is how financial support will be fairly and consistently provided. Child support is not about one parent “winning” or “losing”; it’s about meeting a child’s needs and ensuring that both parents contribute to their upbringing in a way that reflects their capacity and the realities of daily life.
Helping achieve just that, BPA Family Law connects individuals and families with highly experienced, state-licenced attorneys who understand the nuances of child support law. Whether you need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing an order, we help you find a compassionate legal advocate who will prioritize your child’s well-being and financial security—while working to reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.
Understanding How Child Support Works
Every state has its own guidelines and formulas, but at their core, child support systems aim to balance the financial burden of raising a child between both parents. Support payments typically cover essential needs such as:
- Housing and utilities
- Food and clothing
- Health insurance and medical care
- Childcare and school expenses
- Extracurricular activities, in some cases
In most states, child support is calculated using a combination of factors, including:
- Each parent’s income
- Parenting time (how many overnights each parent has)
- Health insurance and daycare costs
- Existing support obligations for other children
- The number of children being supported
Some states like Texas or Illinois use an “income share” model which considers both parents’ incomes. Others like California use a “percentage of income” model, focusing on the non-custodial parent’s income. A third method taken up in states like Massachusetts blends different approaches based on specific circumstances.
A skilled attorney can walk you through how your state’s formula works and help ensure that all relevant income and expenses are documented accurately.
Establishing Child Support Orders
Support arrangements can be set through the court as part of a divorce, custody, or paternity case—or initiated independently through your state’s child support enforcement agency. The process generally involves:
- Filing a petition to establish support
- Providing financial documentation
- Attending a court hearing or administrative proceeding
- Receiving a formal support order
In some cases, parents can agree on a support amount outside of court—but to be enforceable, this agreement usually needs to be approved by a judge. BPA Family Law helps you find an attorney who can assist with both negotiation and litigation, so your child support order is legally sound, fair, and built to last.
