Spousal and Child Support

Child support is typically paid by the non-custodial parent (the parent who does not live with the child) to the custodial parent (the parent who has primary physical custody). The primary custodian of a child is assumed to contribute to the child's welfare in an everyday routine.

In the state of Maine, the amount of child support is calculated individually for each divorce case following three steps. First, the court determines the gross income of both parties. Next, the two incomes are added together to determine the parents' combined annual gross income. And finally, the resulting figure is applied to the Child Support Table to determine the necessary support for each minor child of the marriage.

The basic needs of the child, which must be covered by the child support payments, include child care costs, health insurance costs, and extraordinary medical expenses.