Guidelines set by the federal government provide an objective basis for determining the amount of child support to be paid. Most states have established formulas that are used to determine the amount of child support payment from one parent to another. The parent paying the support is called the 'obligor;' the parent receiving the support is the 'obligee.' The formula is based on the number of children the parents have in common, and the net income of the obligor. The formula begins with a parent's income from wages, then subtracts mandatory expenses, such as federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare tax, and health insurance premiums. The amount of child support is based on the final amount. In most states, the obligor is expected to pay 25 percent of his or her net pay to support one child, 30 percent for two children, and so on. If the 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 Judges are not allowed to deviate from the guidelines except in situations when applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. If a modification of the amount of child support needs to be made to provide for the needs of the children, a judge may be able to deviate from the guidelines.
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