My friend has moved out of her husbands house leaving her 16 yo boy with him. She's not far away and still shares shuttling responsibilities for sporting events and such. They have not filed for divorce and the husband has verbally agreed to support their son since he makes 60k to her 20k. Can the state still require her to pay Child Support if no separation or divorce paperwork is filed?

Until something is filed then there is nothing to collect. But your friend needs to realize that she should still be paying support if she isn't in the home.

As long as the son lives with him he has to support him. The non custodial parent may be required to make child support payments. But only by a court

Regardless of what he may make now, in this economy, or just plain bad health, things can go down hill quickly. If circumstances should lead to the need yo file for AFDC, Welfare will file retroactive child support against her, of which he will get none. She needs to pay child support, through the system. It doesn't matter how much, as long as she's paying something. It can go into his college fund. In this manner, she's protected from a big hit later.