Child Support

In Illinois, the court may order either or both parents to pay child support. Illinois uses a guideline support formula to determine a parent’s support obligation. This percentage gradually increases based on the number of children. The support obligation is typically applicable until the child turns eighteen years old, or for any child under nineteen who is still attending high school. The court, after considering the best interests of the child, is entitled to deviate from the guideline support formula, but must explain the reasons for such deviation. Factors to be considered by the court include the financial resources of both the parent and child, as well as the physical, emotional, and educational needs of the child.