How can I avoid going to court for child support?

If you want to avoid going to court but want to make sure your financial and personal situation is considered when a child support amount is ordered, you may request to have an agreement created between you and the other parent. This legal agreement, called a “stipulation,” is an arrangement that both parents decide is a fair and reasonable amount for child support. The goal in the stipulation is that the person paying support is able to pay this amount while still able to support themselves and the person receiving support gets the money they need to care for the child or children.