Home Divorce Connecticut Child Support

Connecticut Child Support

Connecticut Child Support

CONNECTICUT CHILD SUPPORT LAWS & REGULATIONS UPDATE 2023

A DECADE OF CHANGE: AN OVERVIEW OF CONNECTICUT’S CHILD SUPPORT LAWS AND REGULATIONS TIMELINE (2013-2023)

Connecticut has undergone significant developments in its child support laws and regulations over the past decade, reflecting the state’s commitment to the well-being of children and families. This article provides a concise overview of the key changes in Connecticut’s child support laws and regulations from 2013 to 2023.

2013: Updated Guidelines Introduction

   – Introduction of updated child support guidelines to ensure accurate assessments.

2014: Cost-of-Living Adjustments

   – Incorporation of cost-of-living adjustments to maintain fair child support amounts.

2015: Medical Support Enhancement

   – Emphasis on medical support provisions to address children’s healthcare needs.

2016: Parental Income Consideration

   – Clear guidelines for calculating parental income to determine child support obligations.

2017: Shared Custody Consideration

   – Consideration of shared custody arrangements in child support calculations.

2018: Child Support Enforcement

   – Strengthening of child support enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

2019: College Expenses Inclusion

   – Inclusion of provisions addressing college expenses in child support orders.

2020: Technology Integration

   – Integration of technology for convenient payment and management of child support.

2021: Custodial Parent Work-Related Expenses

   – Recognition of custodial parent work-related child care expenses in calculations.

2022: Regular Review Process

   – Implementation of regular child support order review to address changing circumstances.

2023: Ongoing Refinement

   – Continuous review and refinement of child support laws to adapt to evolving needs.

Connecticut’s commitment to improving its child support laws and regulations underscores its dedication to the best interests of children and families. By keeping its legal framework up-to-date and responsive, the state ensures that child support proceedings remain equitable, transparent, and supportive for all parties involved.


Child support services are available under the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Bureau of Child Support.

The primary function of this bureau is to locate child support evaders by searching federal records and cooperating with other state child support agencies.

Child support debts of as little as $150 for children on public assistance will be reported to the IRS and debts exceeding $500 will be subject to liens on personal property.

Child support services in Connecticut are not free but are low cost, with a $10 fee for locating a non-custodial parent, $25 for general services, $15 to intercept the tax refund of a non-custodial parent, and $122.50 to the IRS to collect owed child support payments when the non-custodial parent has been located.

There is an additional $4 surcharge for attempting to find a non-custodial parent without providing a social security number. The state can also sue parents that do not accept paternity for the child and refuse to make the necessary payments.