Child support rates are the amounts that non-custodial parents are required to pay by law. These amounts change depending upon what state the individuals are in, how much money they make, how many children are involved in the child support case and whether or not the individual is already making court-ordered child support payments to another party. The judge will use the facts in the case to determine the amount of child support a non-custodial parent will have to pay. Since these facts change with every case, even two individuals in the same state and with the same number of children may not be required to pay the same amount. Individuals can come to an agreement amongst themselves as to what the child support rates will be, but those who cannot can receive help from a court of law. Any individual who must go to a child support court should consider hiring a child support attorney to represent them. These attorneys are familiar with the laws and can help their clients understand what will be expected of them as well as what their rights and options are under the child support laws.