• In Massachusetts, the non-custodial parent must provide a minimum of support.children image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  Massachusetts law dictates that child support payments must be made by the non-custodial parent of a minor child. The determination of a child support award is largely based on a percentage of the gross income of the non-custodial parent. However, in cases where the non-custodial parent is underemployed and the percentage of their gross income is too low to support a child, the court will award the custodial parent the minimum amount of support.
  
  

Income Level

• Minimum child support levels apply to parents whose gross income is less than $100 per week.
  
  This gross income level factors in all forms of income (inheritance, annuity, property income, etc.). It also factors in any prior child support orders currently in enforcement. The monthly payments associated with those orders will be deducted from the non-custodial parent's income and what's left will be considered that parent's gross income.
  
  

Minimum Child Support

• Non-custodial parents who make less than $100 per week, under Massachusetts law will be required to pay a minimum of $80.00 per month ($18.46 per week). However, this minimum amount is just that - a minimum. A Massachusetts judge may award the custodial parent more, depending on the circumstances.
  
  

Income Potential

• If the court determines that the non-custodial parent is purposely unemployed or underemployed or could easily earn more, the child support may be determined based on the potential income of the custodial parent. When making this decision, the judge will take into account the non-custodial parent's education level, training and past employment history.