When two parents separate, child support may be owed from one parent to the other. Typically, a child

support obligation is calculated pursuant to Minnesota Child Support Guidelines. However, there are

instances where parents can agree upon a different amount of child support or agree that no child

support shall be owed at all. So then why are there still times when a child support action is initiated if

both parents have agreed that no child support shall be paid?

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If one parent is receiving public assistance (i.e. MFIP, General Assistance, Childcare Assistance, or

Medical Assistance) on behalf of a child, and that parent is not residing with the other parent as an

intact family, the State of Minnesota is then providing a form of support for that child. As such, the

State has a financial interest in the support of the child and may initiate a child support action over the

parents’ objections. So long as that public assistance remains in place, then a portion - or all - of the

child support is owed by the non-custodial parent to the State rather than to the custodial parent.

 

To learn more, contact Jenna Eisenmenger for an initial consultation.