subject: Child Support Vs Contact [print this page] Children are the most affected in case their parents decide to separate or take a divorce. Though one of the parents may wish to forego ther parenting role, they cannot do away with their responsibility towards the children and cannot deny financial support to them. Child support offers periodic financial assistance to take care of various child expenses; in case of marital separation, annulment, determination of parentage or divorce. In such cases, the court decides upon the child custody and support, which is in the best interest of the child. The court ruling formalises the child support as well as contact or visitation.
Both, the rights (contact) as well as obligations (child support or child maintenance) is clearly defined in divorce or paternity settlements. Generally, not always, the non-custodial parent (obligor) directly or indirectly makes periodic payments to the custodial parent (obligee) for the child's expenses. The non custodial parent has the right to visit the children and spend time with them, which is referred to as contact or visitation. However the non custodial parent can be denied contact, partially or fully. Even if this happens, the non custodial parent cannot deny child support since child support and contact are two different issues which are individually enforceable, and whatever is finally decided by the court of law is legally binding on both the parents.
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