Child support in shared parenting has become a live issue now that the family model of a married mother and father raising their children together is no longer the only one. More and more men and women choose to bring a child into the world together without being married or in a romantic relationship. In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities we meet same-sex couples who decide to have a biological child with another man or woman, and single men and women looking for a partner for shared parenthood.
When the biological parents do not raise the children in joint custody, the question of child support in shared parenting arises, and one of the parents will usually be ordered to pay it.
In this article we briefly explain what shared parenting is, what a shared parenting agreement covers, when and by whom child support is paid, and how the amount of child support is calculated.
Child support in shared parenting – what is shared parenting?
Shared parenting is when a man and a woman, or two partners of the same sex, decide to bring a child into the world together without being married or romantically involved with each other.
Shared parenting can take the form of joint custody or sole custody. Whichever arrangement the parents choose, it is important to sign a shared parenting agreement.
In a sensitive arrangement like shared parenting, Adv. Avital Winter explains, it is important to think through in advance every step and every situation that may arise, to prevent misunderstandings and conflict between the two parents. To stay ahead of events, it is worth turning to a family law attorney with experience in the field to help draft the shared parenting agreement.
What is a shared parenting agreement?
A shared parenting agreement sets the ground rules for how you will raise your child or children together. Among other things, it should address where the child will live, the form of custody, the amount of child support in shared parenting, the kind of educational institutions the children will attend, how far apart the parents may live from each other, and various parental rights.
A shared parenting agreement is legally binding even if it has not been approved by the Family Court in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or anywhere else. Adv. Avital Winter nevertheless recommends having the court approve the agreement, since court approval carries the force of a judgment and anchors the arrangements far more firmly.
Child support in shared parenting
Shared parenting involves two types of child custody. The first is joint custody and the second is sole custody.
In joint custody, the child spends equal time with each of his biological parents, and each of them handles the child’s day-to-day care.
Following a ruling of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, when the child divides his time between the parents equally and the parents’ financial capacity is equal, no child support is awarded, and each parent covers the child’s expenses while the child is staying with him. Where the parents’ financial capacity is not equal, child support in shared parenting is decided case by case.
In sole custody, the child lives with one parent, who is responsible for raising him and carries most of the tasks involved. The other parent receives visitation and is ordered to pay child support.
The amount of child support in shared parenting is set according to both parents’ financial means, but as a baseline it should cover the child’s basic needs, such as housing, clothing, education, food, medical care, and more.
The parents can set the amount themselves, without the court, when they sign a shared parenting agreement. If the parents cannot reach an agreed decision on the amount, either of them can turn to the court and file a child support claim. In such a claim, the court will weigh each parent’s earning capacity and how the care of the child is divided between them.
Considering child support in shared parenting? It pays to consult a lawyer
Shared parenting does not always involve child support, but when child support must be paid, the amount is calculated according to the type of custody and the financial capacity of each parent.
* Updated for 2026
