Ensuring that a child receives financial support is essential, regardless of the parents’ marital status. In Massachusetts, both parents have a legal obligation to contribute to their child’s financial needs, whether they were married or not. For unmarried parents, obtaining child support can be a complex process that involves establishing paternity, calculating support obligations, and enforcing court orders when necessary. Understanding the legal process can help custodial parents secure the financial assistance their child is entitled to. Establishing Paternity: The First Step Before child support can be ordered, paternity must be legally established. Massachusetts law provides multiple ways for unmarried parents to confirm paternity. The most straightforward method is signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) at the hospital when the child is born or at a later time through the Registry of Vital Records. This document legally recognizes the father and grants him rights and responsibilities toward the child. If there is any dispute about paternity, either parent can file a petition with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court to request a court-ordered DNA test. Establishing paternity not only allows a custodial parent to seek child support but also ensures the child can benefit from parental health insurance, inheritance rights, and other legal protections. How Child Support is Calculated in Massachusetts Massachusetts follows the Child Support Guidelines, which provide a framework for calculating support based on both parents’ incomes and other financial circumstances. Factors considered in the calculation include: The gross income of both parents. The number of children requiring support. The amount of parenting time each parent spends