How is child support established in Arizona?

Like most states, Arizona has developed standardized child support guidelines that attorneys and judges use to calculate a noncustodial parent’s child support obligation.  However, it is permissible for parents to deviate from these guidelines if they come to an agreement regarding child support on their own. 

Calculating Child Support Obligations

Determining child support in Arizona involves consideration of both parents’ incomes, as well as a variety of other factors.  For instance, a court will consider child support that is being paid by the parent to support other children, health insurance premiums paid by either parent, child care expenses, any extraordinary expenses necessary to raise a particular child, and the amount of parenting time that the noncustodial parent exercises with the child(ren) on a regular basis.  However, the parents’ other financial information will not be considered by the court in determining a child support obligation in Arizona, such as the payment of debts, rent or mortgage expenses, or other similar expenses. 

Changing a Child Support Order

Once a child support obligation has been ordered by the court, the parties normally must continue to exchange financial information, such as income tax returns, every two years.  This requirement helps ensure that parents ask the court to have their child support obligations modified if appropriate, based on a change in financial circumstances.  If the recalculated support amount differs by at least 15% from the original order, then the court may change the amount of the child support order.

Contact an Attorney for Advice

If you need assistance obtaining an child support order in the state of Arizona, you should contact an attorney experienced in child support matters for advice.