| Establishing Arizona Child Support
Once paternity is established and the non-custodial parent is located, the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) works with both parents to establish a child support order, if none exists.
Establishing a child support order is a legal process that results in an order that sets a monthly amount of money to be paid by the non-custodial parent for the support of the child or by both parents if the child is in foster care or in the care of a guardian or relative and determines who will be responsible to provide medical support.
A parent must be given proper legal notice before child support and paternity can be determined. If a parent does not respond within the required time period, an order for support may be entered. This is called a "default order." It is legally valid and enforceable.
The child support order is based on Arizona child support guidelines. The guidelines consider factors such as the needs of the children and the finances of both parents. These guidelines are available through the Arizona Supreme Court Guidelines Web site at http://www.supreme.state.az.us/childsup/.
For more information, please see the following:
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