What is child support and how is it calculated?

Child support is money that must be paid by one parent to the other for the purpose of maintaining an adequate household for the couple’s children.   How much child support is owed each month depends on the state the couple is divorcing in.  The number of children (biological or adopted) is a factor.  Children from a prior relationship do not receive child support unless adopted.  In some states, the child support calculation factors in the number of nights of placement each parent has.  In other states it is based solely on relative income levels, and details of placement do not factor in.   Contact your clerk of courts or go online to find the appropriate calculation tool and examples for your state.