child support

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• noun law The ongoing obligation for a periodic payment made directly or indirectly by an obligor, usually the noncustodial parent, to an obligee, usually the custodial parent or other guardian, for the financial care and support of children of a relationship or marriage that has been terminated, or which never existed.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

• noun court-ordered support paid by one spouse to the other who has custody of the children after the parents are separated