Massachusetts Child Support
How to apply for child support in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Child Support Enforcement Division handles all applications for services related to the support. Anyone who wishes to apply for child support in the state must file a request for child support services with the CSER. You can apply for support online or mail in an application. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in Massachusetts?
Support totals in Massachusetts are determined by factoring together the gross annual income of the non-custodial parent, the gross annual income of the custodial parent, the number of children involved and any support amounts that are paid due to previous relationships.
How to claim and pay child support?
Support payments in Massachusetts are made online, by phone, in person or by mail and received via direct deposit or a Massachusetts debit card.
Child Support Performance Stats for Massachusetts
The Child Support Guidelines Task Force keeps track of the year-to-year performance of the state's support program.
Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection
Other Incentive Performance Measures
| Performance Measures | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) | 90.8 | 95.35 | 91.51 | 91.49 | 90.69 |
| IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 83.55 | 84.67 | 85.78 | 85.75 | 87.35 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 5.9 | 5.64 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.03 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 604.38 | 612.78 | 619.59 | 626.67 | 634.75 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 562.08 | 573.07 | 582.34 | 592.37 | 603.16 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 107 | 113.31 | 119.59 | 120.87 | 109.71 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can the support be paid off early?
Yes, it is possible to pay lump sums in advance.
What Will happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?
You will face interest and penalties if you fall behind on support payments.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, both alimony and support can be received at the same time in Massachusetts.
Can you stop the support payments?
No, support payments may only be stopped by petitioning the court.
Child Support and Taxes
Child support should not impact the tax situation of the payer or the recipient in Massachusetts.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Massachusetts?
No, you cannot claim support payments on taxes in the state
How does my child support affect my taxes in Massachusetts?
Support payments cannot be claimed as income by the recipient or used as deductions by the payer.
Can child support be taken pre tax?
No, you cannot pay child support on a pre-tax basis.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Yes, tax returns may be taken if you are behind on payments.
Paternity Establishment
It is necessary to establish paternity in Massachusetts before any paternal rights can be accessed.
How do you establish paternity?
Paternity can be established by signing a paternity acknowledgement form or asking the court to establish paternity.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
No rights exist for a potential father until paternity has been legally established.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A court would typically order a test if deemed necessary.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
The DNA of a family member would typically be used.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
DNA testing can only be done on a minor with the consent of a primary legal guardian.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Massachusetts?
Paternity in Massachusetts can be established until a child reaches the age of 18.
Support order establishment
To establish a support order, file a request for services with Massachusetts’ Child Support Enforcement Division. The CSER will then verify the non-custodial parent’s paternity and file a support order with the courts.
State Child Support orders
You must file a complaint with the Register of the Probate and Family Court in the county where you live if you wish to establish a support order.
Can the support be modified?
Yes, if a parent feels that a payment amount is not in agreement with what is stated in the Massachusetts child support guidelines.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
You can make a request to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue by mail.
Can a child support order appealed?
Yes, if a parent feels that a payment amount is not in agreement with what is stated in the MA child support guidelines.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support?
No, but legal help is strongly recommended.
When can you modify the support?
Requests can be made whenever a parent has discovered that the amount being paid is different than what is specified in the state's child support guidelines or if a significant material change has occurred.
Child support Enforcement
How long does the child support enforcement take?
Enforcement kicks in once a parent owes more than $500 on the last day of a month.
What to do when the support is not paid?
Alert your county support office.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?
You may be able to file a complaint for contempt against the non-custodial parent.
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
Child support that is overdue by two years or that totals $10,000 or more.
Can the support debt be forgiven?
The forgiveness or reduction of child support debt in Massachusetts only occurs in a narrow class of cases.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a child support order?
You must file a Complaint about Modification form with the court that issued the order if you feel that a qualifying circumstance applies.
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
If custody reverses or if a child becomes legally emancipated before the age of 18.
Can the custodial parent close a child support case?
Yes, a custodial parent can opt out by requesting that support services be ended.
When Can I Stop Paying the Support?
When a child reaches the legal age of emancipation or if another qualifying circumstance occurs.
18 years old or when a child graduates from high school.
Massachusetts hearing rights
Both parents have hearing rights in Massachusetts courts when it comes to establishing and modifying orders.
MA Child Support Guidelines
Massachusetts has legal guidelines in place that set norms regarding how much support should be paid and what payments can be used to cover based on the assumption that the non-custodial parent has a child about one-third of the time.
MA Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
Massachusetts Child Support laws are intended to cover the majority of a child's needs in Massachusetts.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Yes, insurance coverage or medical payments are included when support orders are created in Massachusetts.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
Yes, daycare costs are shared as needed.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by the Support?
Yes, transportation costs can be covered.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for the Support?
Internet access, visual entertainment, tickets for events and more.
Are College expenses Covered by Support in Massachusetts?
No, but college contributions can be ordered in some cases.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, fees for extracurricular activities are often covered.
Are School Related Costs Covered by Support?
Yes, fees related to school costs can be covered.
Massachusetts Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Enforcement Division | N/A | N/A | (800) 332-2733 | https://www.mass.gov |
| Metro Regional Office - Boston | 100 Cambridge St. , 5th Floor, Boston, MA | N/A | (617) 626-2700 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/metro-regional-office-boston |
| Central Regional Office - Worcester | 67 Millbrook St., Suite 300, Worcester, MA | N/A | (508) 792-7300 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/central-regional-office-worcester |
| Southern Regional Office - Taunton | 540 Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton , MA | N/A | (774) 299-6400 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/southern-regional-office-taunton |
County Child Support Offices in MA
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | Worcester County, MA Central Regional Child Support Enforcement Office - Worcester | 67 Millbrook St., Suite 300, Worcester, MA 01606 | N/A | 1(508) 792-7300 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/central-regional-office-worcester |
| Suffolk County | Suffolk County, MA Metro Regional Child Support Enforcement Office - Boston | 100 Cambridge St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 | N/A | 1(617) 626-2700 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/metro-regional-office-boston |
| Essex County | Middlesex County, MA Northern Regional Child Support Enforcement Office - Woburn | 100 Sylvan Road, 100 Trade Center, Suite 760, Woburn, MA 01801 | N/A | 1(781) 376-1000 | https://www.mass.gov/locations/northern-regional-office-woburn |