Child Support

Child support is based on the policy that both parents are obligated to financially support their children, even when the children are not living with both parents. Child support refers to the financial support of children and not other forms of support, such as emotional support, physical care, or spiritual support.

When children live with both parents, courts rarely, if ever direct the parents how to provide financial support for their children. However, when the parents are not together, courts often order one parent to pay the other an amount set as financial support of the child. In such situations, one parent (the "obligee") receives child support, and the other parent (the "obligor") is ordered to pay child support. The amount of child support ia be set on a case-by-case basis by a formula calculating the amount that parents should pay to financially support their children.

Child support may be ordered to be paid by one parent to another when one is a non-custodial parent and the other is a custodial parent. Similarly, child support may also be ordered to be paid by one parent to another when both parents are custodial parents (joint or shared custody) and they share the child-raising responsibilities.

In Hawaii there is no need for the parents to be married, and only paternity and/or maternity need to be demonstrated for a child support obligation to be found by a competent court.

Hawaii Child Support Guidelines

State law requires the Family Court, the Child Support Enforcement Agency, and the Office of Child Support Hearings to follow these guidelines in all cases involving child support unless there are "exceptional circumstances. The guidelines are as follows:  July 6, 2004 Child Support Guidelines Memo. Instructions for the 2004 Hawai`i Child Support Guidelines

Christopher D. Thomas is an experienced attorney handling family law issues like child support in Hawaii. Make sure your interests are protected by calling our offices at (808) 261-7710 or contact us via email today to schedule an appointment with an experienced, caring, dedicated and knowledgeable attorney.