child support

Child support is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child following the end of a marriage or other similar relationship. Court-ordered child maintenance is paid directly or indirectly by an obligor to an obligee for the care and support of children of a relationship or marriage that has been terminated, or in some cases never existed. Often the obligor is a non-custodial parent. The obligee is typically a custodial parent, a caregiver, or a guardian.