Child support is obtained through a 'child support order.' A child support order is a legal document issued by a court that states when, how often, and how much a parent is to pay for child related expenses. A child support order is typically issued when two parents divorce and one parent retains custody. One parent can also be ordered to pay child support even if he or she never married the other parent. First, both of the child's biological parents must be established. Then the two parents go to court and a judge determines whether or not child support is warranted. The court then orders a legal child support order where one parent must pay child support to the other parent. If the parents live in different states, a judge in one state may be able to make a child support ruling based on the laws of both states, always keeping the child's best interests in mind. If the parent ordered to pay child support, or obligor, has difficulty making child support payments, or refuses to make payments, an employer may withhold a portion of his or her wages specifically for child support. Usually, the obligor parent makes payments to a child support agency, and not directly to the other parent, or obligee.
