If I have more visitation time, will it reduce my child support obligation?

All states take into account the amount of visitation time when calculating child support. This is based on the understanding that the child is being supported directly when the noncustodial parent is with the child. In some states a sliding scale of time versus money is used by the court, while in other states an increase in visitation time can be a valid reason for a judge to deviate from the guidelines and decrease the child support award on a case by case basis.

Some states have a certain number of overnights that will effect the support obligation. For example; if the noncustodial parent has 128 overnights per year , he or she will have a significant lower support obligation had it only been 127 overnights per year. When negotiating and calculating child support the number of overnights is a very iinflunetial variable.