When a noncustodial parent is laid off from their place of employment, this means that he or she is not receiving the income that he or she is supposed to be paying towards child support. A lay off is not the fault of the individual and therefore the courts may work with the parent to find other arrangements for support payments. On the other hand, if the custodial parent has been laid off, this could also affect the amount of child support that the parent is able to receive from the non-custodial parent. Arrangements like this often occur in a court of law.