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Child custody and support in Massachusetts

Custody and child support in a Massachusetts divorce: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator and the child support agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

In short

Massachusetts law uses the term “legal and physical custody (sole or shared) and parenting time” for custody. About the parenting class: Yes, in most cases. Massachusetts publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.

Custody term
Legal and physical custody (sole or shared) and parenting time
Parenting class
Required (with conditions)
Child support calculator
Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency
Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Child Support Services

Custody terms in Massachusetts

Legal and physical custody (sole or shared) and parenting time

Parenting class in Massachusetts

  • Yes, in most cases.
  • Under Probate and Family Court Standing Order 3-23 (effective Feb. 12, 2024), parents in a divorce complaint involving custody or parenting time of minor children must take the online 'Two Families Now' co-parenting course unless waived.
  • Joint 1A petitions are not on the required list: mass.gov: Parent education

Child support in Massachusetts

Child support follows Massachusetts's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.

Good to know

Standing Order 3-23 (Feb. 12, 2024) made the online 'Two Families Now' co-parenting course mandatory in divorce (except 1A), custody, paternity and separate support cases with minor children. New Child Support Guidelines worksheet issued in 2025 (mass.gov).

Children in a Massachusetts divorce: what the process includes

  1. Custody

    The court's orders use Massachusetts's term for custody: legal and physical custody (sole or shared) and parenting time.

  2. Parenting class

    Take the parenting class described above if Massachusetts requires it in your case.

  3. Child support

    Estimate it first: the official calculator

  4. The child support agency

    For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.

Questions about custody and child support in Massachusetts

What is child custody called in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts uses the term “legal and physical custody (sole or shared) and parenting time”.

Do parents have to take a class in a Massachusetts divorce?

Yes, in most cases. Under Probate and Family Court Standing Order 3-23 (effective Feb. 12, 2024), parents in a divorce complaint involving custody or parenting time of minor children must take the online 'Two Families Now' co-parenting course unless waived. Joint 1A petitions are not on the required list: mass.gov: Parent education

Is there an official child support calculator for Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator

Which agency handles child support in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Child Support Services.

More about divorce in Massachusetts

Custody and support in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.