Child Support:  The funds ordered by the court to be paid by one parent to the custodial parent following a divorce or separation.  Child support is determined by the incomes of the custodial and non-custodial parent, the number of children requiring support and the total expenses of the children.  Special needs, health insurance and school tuition are other factors that may be entered into the child support equation.  In most cases, child support continues until the child reaches age 18, has graduates high school or is emancipated.  In some cases, child support continues through a portion of college. 

Important Rhode Island (RI) Child Support and Massachusetts (MA) Child Support Resources

For more information regarding Rhode Island’s Child Support laws, please see the Office of Child Support Services web site www.cse.ri.gov.

In Massachusetts, information can be found at the Child Support Enforcement page of the Department of Revenue, see www.mass.gov/cse.