Best Child Support in Massachusetts — 6 resources

About Child Support

Child support in the United States is administered state-by-state under the Title IV-D federal program, with every state required to operate a child support enforcement agency. These agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate support obligations, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and other civil enforcement tools. Support amounts are calculated using state-specific guidelines, most based on an income shares or percentage-of-income formula. Fathers paying support can request modifications when their income drops substantially or when circumstances change (job loss, additional children, disability). Fathers owed support can open a case with their state agency free of charge. This directory includes each state's child support agency, online calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.

6 Resources

1. Massachusetts DOR - Child Support Enforcement — Free

State Department of Revenue Child Support Services Division administers Massachusetts' child support program for all 14 counties: establishes paternity, sets support orders, enforces collection through wage withholding and license suspension, and processes modifications. Open a case online at cse.dor.state.ma.us or by phone; bring photo ID, the other parent's information, birth certificates, any prior orders, and recent pay stubs to interviews.

1-800-332-2733 · P.O. Box 9561, Boston, MA 02114 · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Calculator — Free

Official Massachusetts Trial Court child support guidelines worksheet and online calculator for estimating monthly obligations based on both parents' gross income, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and parenting time. Used by parents, attorneys, and mediators as a starting point for support negotiations and required as an exhibit when filing in Probate & Family Court. Have recent pay stubs and childcare costs ready to use the tool accurately.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. MassLegalHelp - Child Support Resources — Free

Free plain-language guides explaining Massachusetts child support laws, how to request establishment, modification, and enforcement; how DOR cases work; and what to do if you cannot pay. Includes printable court forms, sample motions, and filing instructions for Probate & Family Court. Available statewide in English and Spanish. Have your prior court orders, pay stubs, and any DOR notices handy when using the self-help materials.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Massachusetts DOR - Paternity Establishment — Free

State program helping unmarried parents establish legal paternity through Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (signed at the hospital or later) or through court action when paternity is contested. Establishing paternity enables child support orders, custody and parenting time rights, medical history access, and inheritance. Call DOR or submit online; bring photo ID, the child's birth certificate, and the other parent's contact information.

1-800-332-2733 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

National resource providing interstate child support enforcement when the other parent lives in a different state or country. Massachusetts DOR coordinates with OCSS under UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) to establish and enforce orders across state lines. Parents with interstate cases should start with Massachusetts DOR; OCSS publishes resources, state contact lists, and enforcement tools on its website.

1-202-401-9373 · National resource · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET · Visit Website

6. Community Legal Aid - Child Support (Worcester) — Free

Free legal help for low-income central and western Massachusetts parents in Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties navigating child support establishment, modification, contempt, and enforcement. Apply by phone through the LegalAidLine or online; bring photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters), birth certificates, and any existing orders or DOR notices to your intake appointment.

855-252-5342 · 405 Main St, Suite 400, Worcester, MA 01608 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many child support resources are in Massachusetts?
Men's Corner tracks 6 child support resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.
Are child support resources in Massachusetts free?
6 of the 6 listed child support resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have child support resources?
Listings span cities including Boston, Worcester.
What are some examples of child support resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include Massachusetts DOR - Child Support Enforcement, Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Calculator, MassLegalHelp - Child Support Resources, Massachusetts DOR - Paternity Establishment, Federal Office of Child Support Services.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
4 of 6 Massachusetts child support listings include phone numbers.
How do I open a child support case?
Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.
Can I modify my child support order?
Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.
What happens if I can't pay?
Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.
How is the amount calculated?
Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.