Spousal and Child Support

The District of Columbia Child Support Guidelines implies that both parents are responsible for the child's support. However, usually, only the noncustodial parent (the parent who does not live with the child) is obliged to make fixed periodic payments. The primary custodian is also responsible for his/her portion of the total amount of child support. Still, it is assumed that the relevant sum should be spent directly on the child's needs, including the everyday maintenance and care of the child.

An exact amount of child support is calculated for each divorce case individually using the Income Shares Model. This approach implies that the court should estimate an amount of support that would have been available for the child if the parents were still married. Then, this amount must be divided proportionally between the parents, taking into account their incomes. Thus, the spouse with a higher income is typically responsible for a higher percentage of child support, no matter who has physical custody.