How Does Arizona Determine Child Support?

Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. | Child Support

Arizona courts follow specific guidelines when deciding whether either parent should pay child support, and if so, how much the amount should be. The purpose of child support is to help cover the child’s basic needs – things like shelter, food, clothing, and medical care.

Arizona’s child support guidelines are available online so that parents may create a custody and support plan that is catered to the child’s best interests.

Some considerations used to create child support orders include:

When should support stop? In most cases, child support ends when the youngest child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later.
How much should each support payment be? Child support payments are typically based on each parent’s income, which is calculated according to a number of factors. Other factors, like whether each parent has other children, are also included in the calculation.
Who will provide health insurance for the child? Amounts paid toward health insurance should also be factored into the child support calculation.
How is custody shared? If the parents share parenting time with the child on an equal basis, child support payments may not be necessary. The amount of time each parent spends with the child should be included in the child support considerations.

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In addition to these factors, many other considerations can affect a child support payment. At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our experienced Phoenix child support attorneys can help you negotiate child support and custody arrangements to create a plan that works for you and your children. For a confidential consultation, call us today at (480) 467-3434.

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About the Author

Zachary Mushkatel

Zachary Mushkatel is a founding attorney of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., who has practiced law in Arizona since 2004. He also practices before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota Law School, he started his career as a public defender and entered private practice in criminal defense. In 2008, Zachary co-founded a firm dedicated to civil law in addition to criminal defense, and he has since expanded his practice to personal injury, estate planning and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. He serves on the board and faculty of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, and he is a past president and current member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association.