If you owe $2,500 or more in a Massachusetts child support case, you are not eligible to receive a U.S. passport. Pay your child support arrears to the appropriate state child support enforcement agency before applying for your passport. If You've Already Applied for...
Child Support
Massachusetts Child Support Highest in the Country
Massachusetts’ average monthly payment is as high as $1,187 per month. This is the state with the highest average payment. Virginia has the lowest monthly payment at just $402 per month. The average monthly payment across the country was $721 per month. The required...
Selected Massachusetts Child Support Cases For Child Over 18 Years
Here are important Massachusetts cases on child support when the child is over the age of 18: Barnes v. Devlin, 84 Mass. App. Ct. 159 (2013) A father could not unilaterally stop paying child support under an agreed-upon separation agreement. His "proper recourse, as...
Social Security Disability Benefits and Child Support for Massachusetts Dependents
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can pay benefits to the Massachusetts family members of someone who is disabled and unable to work. Spouses, children and even ex-spouses of someone receiving SSDI benefits may qualify for their own monthly payments. Each...
How Does Child Support Get to the Massachusetts Custodial Parent?
When the Massachusetts probate court makes a child support order, it also orders that the child support payments be made by "income assignment" through the Department of Revenue. This means that the employer of the person paying child support deducts the child support...
Massachusetts Child Support for Children 18 – 22 Year Olds
The Massachusetts court can make orders for support, maintenance, and education for children between 18 and 21, if they live with their parent and are mainly dependent on that parent for their maintenance. The court can also make these orders for 21 and 22 year olds...
Massachusetts Child Support and Parenting Time or Visitation Are Not Connected
As a general rule, there is no connection between paying child support in Massachusetts and parenting time or visitation rights. The court orders parenting time or visitation when it is in the best interest of the child. Paying child support does not automatically...
Massachusetts Child Support Order Must Include Health Care Insurance
A Massachusetts child support order must include health care coverage. Parents can: Provide health care coverage through their employer. Buy health care coverage on their own. Get health care coverage for their children through MassHealth. Give the court a written...
Can Child Support Be Modified Retroactively in Massachusetts? Maybe
When it comes to a Massachusetts divorce, not all separation agreements are created equal. In fact, a well-crafted agreement can provide a divorcing spouse with a degree of economic protection that far surpasses what would be guaranteed by state law. That's one lesson...
How to Register Out-of-State Child Support/Custody Orders in Massachusetts
Registering a child support/custody order that was obtained in another state or even in another country is accomplished in Massachusetts by following the procedure outlined in M.G.L. c. 209D. To register your out-of-state order, you will need the following: (1) a...