The child support amount is determined by the judge who oversees the case between the custodial and non-custodial parent. He or she will take several things into consideration, including how many children are involved in the case, how much money the non-custodial parent makes at his or her job, and whether or not the custodial parent is already paying court-ordered child support for other children outside of the current case. The judge will first and foremost consider what is best for the children involved and what they will need in order to be safe and secure. Individuals who are paying child support can always try to have the child support amount changed if a life-altering event occurs which changes the financial situation of the non-custodial parent. They will have to file a request for modification and the judge will look over the new circumstances. He or she will then determine whether the child support amount must be changed and what it should be changed to. Hiring a child support attorney can help with all of these areas, as attorneys are more knowledgeable about child support law than regular people.