Alabama Child Support

Navigating Alabama Child Support Laws

Alabama child support laws allow parents and the courts to provide for minor children within the state. The Alabama child support calculator is a useful tool to help you and the court determine how much child support should be awarded.

Gather Information

Before the court will calculate your child support payments, the court will examine some important financial documents. The court will require that both parents provide this information. Be cautious to provide the most accurate information. The courts will not treat you well if they determine that you are hiding assets or exaggerating your financial situation.

Gather and review the following information before going to court:

• Gross income of both parents
• Childcare and education costs
• Child support for children of other relationships (court-ordered support)
• Health insurance costs and extraordinary medical costs
• Spousal support paid or received

Changing the Alabama Child Support Order

Either parent can request that the child support obligation be recalculated at any time. To request a change, you must file a Petition to Modify. A modification will only occur if the final number after recalculation is a difference of 10% or more from the original obligation.

If you believe that the court-ordered child support payments are too high, file the Petition to Modify. Do not simply begin making payments in a lower amount. The court will not look upon you favorably if you decide on your own what your payments should be. The court requires that all child support decisions be made in court.

When requesting a modification of your Alabama child support payments, always be honest and candid with the court. Do not lie to the court. Do not doctor documents. Do not hide assets or try to exaggerate your financial situation. This also applies to when you are asking for an increase in child support. Do not exaggerate or lie about the needs of the child.

Terminating Child Support

Alabama child support laws require that parents provide financial support for all minor children. However, child support obligations do not continue indefinitely. Instead, the child support order will automatically terminate once the child:

• Reaches the age of 18 and graduates from high school
• Has a change in legal custody
• Is emancipated by court order
• Enlists in the armed services
• Gets married
• Dies

However, there are circumstances where the child support obligation will not automatically terminate. For example, child support may not terminate if the child has severe special needs that cause him or her to remain dependent. If you believe that your child support obligation should not terminate, then you should notify the local child support enforcement agency.

Enforcing the Child Support Order

The Alabama Department of Human Resources is in charge of all [child support enforcement services in the state. There are several tools the state can use to enforce court ordered child support payments. The enforcement tools include:

• Income withholding
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Certifying debts
• Income tax offsets
• Passport denial, revocation or restriction
• Liens on real estate, vehicles, or other property
• Driver's license suspension or revocation
• Suspension or revocation of professional licenses

Additional Information

Click on the following for additional information:

• Child Support Guidelines: Interpretation and Application
• Establishing paternity
• Locating the Non-custodial Parent
• Applying for Child Support Services
• Alabama Child Support Association
• Alabama Family Law Blog

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