Child Support in Connecticut
State-specific overview · Family Law
Connecticut applies statutory guidelines based on combined parental income; support continues until age 23 if the child attends college.
How Connecticut treats Child Support
Connecticut uses an income shares model with statutory percentages that apply to combined parental income up to a cap. The state requires both parents to contribute to child support proportional to their incomes, and courts may order college expenses as part of child support for children through age 23. Connecticut allows modification of support orders when there is a substantial change in circumstances, including job loss or significant income shifts. The guidelines presume shared parenting responsibilities, but the non-custodial parent typically pays the custodial parent.
The general definition of Child Support
Court-ordered payments from one parent to the other for a child's living expenses.
Child support is money that a court requires one parent to pay to the other parent (or guardian) to help cover the child's expenses like food, housing, education, and healthcare. The amount is usually calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents' incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements. Child support continues until the child reaches the age of majority, typically 18 or 21 depending on the state. It's a legal obligation separate from custody decisions.
Read the full Child Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.