Child Support Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Child Support.

Child Support (noun):

Child support is a legal obligation that refers to the financial payment given by one parent to another, following a divorce or separation. Usually, the non-custodial parent (the parent who spends less time with the child) makes this payment to the custodial parent. It is designed to aid in covering the costs related to raising the child, such as food, clothing, education, and other necessities. These payments aim to ensure that the child receives adequate support from both parents, similar to what they would have received, had their parents remained together. The amount of child support is often determined based on factors like the parents' income, the number of children in need of support, and the children's living expenses.