Guidelines

A standard method for setting child support obligations based on the income of the parent(s) and other factors determined by State law. The Family Support Act of 1988 requires States to use guidelines to determine the amount of support for each family, unless they are rebutted by a written finding that applying the guidelines would be inappropriate to the case.

(See also: Income; Disposable Income; Imputed Income)

Source: Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Last reviewed October 2023