Child support laws vary from state to state; however, they are similar to each other. Child support laws are designed to help the custodial parent provide for the child and to make sure that the child and/or children maintain the level of care and standard of living that they were accustomed to prior to the divorce or what they would be accustomed to if their parents remained married. The courts do keep the best interest of the child in mind when determining child support. Either parent can be ordered to pay child support. In most states, the courts will look at the income of both parents when trying to determine child support. Child support is usually figured by taking the gross income minus the allowable deductions of the non-custodial parent. Child support enforcement agencies are available in each and every state to help custodial parents arrange and establish support orders and to collect and distribute child support payments from the non-custodial parent. This is a free service and they can even help to collect on outstanding child support payments that were missed. Child support laws guarantee that the child is being looked after and that their best interests are being taken into consideration; however, it is not a guarantee that payments will be received or that the state can collect for you; however, there are several avenues that the state can take to help one receive what they were awarded by the courts.