I happen to be "in" on this one, very deeply, since I am contracted developing Child Support Systems and my current speciality is support guidelines.
(That means, if you have a question, write!)
0. This whole child support system (federal mandate, called FSA 88 and revised in 1997 as part of welfare reform under statutes called PRWORA) is all about paying back the State for welfare money. Used to be mother and father would split up, mother goes on welfare, WE foot the bill (or vice versa). In order to save the taxpayers money, phenominal amounts of money, the feds mandated that states implement child support systems so that the absent parent is responsible for the child's support. If you're a taxpayer, cheer now; the money you DON'T spend any more for welfare due to this is enormous.
1. YMMV between states. Different states have different guidelines they use; the only federal requirement is that the state guidelines be uniformly applied, and that deviations from the guideline have a reason. A totally separate bit of law prohibits taking more than 50% of the absent parents' income; over here we use NET income for that, not gross.
2. The judge does not really determine the amount, but does have final say and override. The caseworker works up a recommendation based on the available figures, and they can often include or exclude income or deductions based on their whim (e.g., the aforementioned housing allowances, or imputed income; that last is a nice one where they take from you money based on the money you 'could' earn even if you aren't.) If you don't like that last one, blame scum who used to work cute deals with sympathetic employers to pay them virtually nothing, officially, and the rest under the table in order to dodge support.
3. Since the caseworker determines the amount by selecting what goes into the formula, what does this mean for you? Well, let's just say that the vast vast majority of caseworkers are rabidly biased against the male half of the species. However the judge still has to approve the recommendation, and you may maintain representation (and whether you're the custodial or absent parent, unless it's a good-terms situation you had better). If you make $45k due to a job downturn where you made $70k before, bring a lawyer and contest the figures already. (You are entitled to a review once each two years).
4. "Surcharge" (levies against your arrears) are federal law, nothing you can do about it. Same thing with Federal Tax Offset; you may if you choose take some grim satisfaction in the fact that IRS withholding monies go to pay the State first and the family second (the only case where that's true).
5. The limit on support is 18, or up to 19.5 years IF the child has not yet graduated from high school. There is no mandate to pay for college. Obviously many parents choose to do so, but we're talking mandates.
6. You are entitled to credit against backdated support for the monies you paid during that period! Again, you may need to have representation to get them to credit you properly.
But the big one is
7. Kids are expensive, and LESS expensive if you stay married. Choose your actions wisely. Personally, I recommend finding a lady and sticking with her for life. (the operative word there being 'lady')
