The separation of unmarried parents or the divorce of married parents can create a great deal of uncertainty in the life of a Springfield child. Though many parents who choose to end their relationships take steps to protect their kids from the emotional challenges of...
Child support enforcement options in Massachusetts
When a child is subject to a custody agreement or order, he or she may spend much of the time in the household of one parent. In such arrangements, that parent with whom the child primarily lives is considered the 'custodial parent' of the child, and the other parent,...
A child’s special needs may require extended child support
It is a common dream among Massachusetts parents that their children thrive during their younger years and then arrive at adulthood prepared to take care of themselves and face the challenges that come with being grown-ups. However, when some children turn eighteen...
What can be included in child support?
When Massachusetts residents think of costs associated with child support, often the first things that come to mind are necessities, such as food, clothing and shelter. But, to sustain a healthy and happy upbringing, we all know that there are far more items,...
Why does Massachusetts use child support ‘guidelines’?
Every state in the country has some legal mechanism to help ensure that a child is supported financially when their parents divorce or separate. Because most states have adopted a uniform set of federal child support laws, many of those systems are similar, though not...
Does Massachusetts child support automatically end at 18?
Most parents in Massachusetts can tell you that taking care of a child is a life-long commitment. While, for most purposes, society treats people as adults when they turn 18-years-old, this does not always mean they can be completely independent at that point. This...
Projected cost of rearing a child born in 2015 and child support
Becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have. While parenting is a special time in any adult's life, it is also very expensive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its findings on what it would cost to raise a child born in 2015...
Can wage garnishment be court-ordered on back-owed child support?
You would do just about anything for your child. This is true of parents living separately and parents who live together with their child. The difference for separated parents is that they have to balance raising their child from separate households. This can be...
Ensure that your child receives enough child support
When it comes to your child's well-being, there isn't anything that a Springfield parent wouldn't do. With regard to financial support and the amount a child should receive from a non-custodial parent, how much is enough? Maybe you are going through the child support...
Penalties can be imposed on parents with unpaid child support
Child support is a touchy topic for many Massachusetts parents. Sometimes, after the divorce decree has been issued with the topic of child support determined, it can take a lot more than the divorce decree to get applicable parents to pay their share. Sometimes this...

