Child Support Percentage By State

In the complex tapestry of family law, child support, an ongoing financial commitment by non-custodial parents towards their children's upbringing, plays a pivotal role. This obligation transcends the confines of personal relationships and encapsulates the wider societal goal of safeguarding children's welfare. In the United States, the labyrinth of child support legislation varies by state, but all are bound by a core principle stipulated by federal regulations – to apply child support guidelines uniformly across each state. 

• Variations are stark across states when it comes to the average child support received. Hawaii tops the list with an annual average of $16,656, over 5 times more than Kentucky at the bottom, which sees an average child support of $3,183 per year. 
• Notably, among the top 5 states - Hawaii, Maryland, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Nevada - four are on the coastlines, suggesting relatively higher living costs in these states are influencing the child support determinations.
• The average child support received tends to be lower in states with possibly lower living expenses. For instance, southern states like Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas have some of the lowest payments, which may reflect the cost of living and overall income levels in these regions.
• It is also noteworthy that despite being known for a high cost of living and higher income levels, states like New York and California are not among the top five states in terms of average child support received, ranking 14th and 11th respectively.
• States with the lowest annual average child support received consistently fall below $5,000, with a focus in the Midwestern and Southern part of the country.