In Montana, Child Support orders may be established by the District Court, or by the Montana Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED). Individuals who receive public assistance are automatically referred to CSED. Individuals who do not receive public assistance may apply for CSED services.
District Courts and CSED follow Montana laws (MCA) and Administrative Rules governing both parents’ duty of support to a child. Amounts are determined to be reasonable or necessary for the child's support, and without regard to marital misconduct. Relevant factors include:
- the financial resources of the child;
- the financial resources of the parents;
- the standard of living that the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved;
- the physical and emotional condition of the child and the child's educational and medical needs;
- the age of the child;
- the cost of day care for the child;
- any parenting plan that is ordered or decided upon; and
- the needs of any person, other than the child, whom either parent is legally obligated to support.
For additional information, link to Common Questions about Child and Medical Support Orders in Montana, from Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA).
MCA Title 40, Ch. 4. Termination of Marriage, Child Custody, Support
MCA Title 40, Ch. 4, Part 2. Support, Custody, Visitation, and Related Provisions
MCA Title 40, Ch. 5, Pt. 10. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
MCA Title 40, Ch. 5. Enforcement of Support
ARM Title 37, Ch. 62, Subchapter 1. Montana Child Support Guidelines