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Child SupportChild support by definition is a financial contribution paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent towards the expenses of raising his or her children. That seems pretty cut and dry. However, child support can turn into a major issue as divorces are often wrought with emotions. ![]() All states have specific guidelines that are followed in the determination of how child support is calculated. Every state is different, but most states take into consideration the income levels (both earned and unearned) of both the parents as well as the expenses associated with raising the child in their calculation. That's a very broad example of how it can be calculated. Often there are complicated formulas and schedules that are used. Keep in mind that a judge has the authority to deviate from the guidelines if he or she determines that the situation warrants it. Here are a few things to keep in mind about child support:
Payments will continue until all the children of the marriage become emancipated. Basically, emancipation is an act by which parents relinquish their right to custody and are relieved of their duty to support the child. Emancipation can occur upon a child's marriage, induction into military service, by court order based on the child's best interest, as stipulated in the divorce agreement or when the child reaches an appropriate age. Appropriate age does not always mean 18 as many believe. When drawing up your divorce agreement it is important to clearly state at what age or milestone (such as high school graduation, college graduation, marriage, or they become self-sufficient) emancipation will occur. If your children are young, you may not even consider this issue, but you should. An unclear agreement made today may haunt you in the years to come. If you have more than one child and a child is emancipated the amount that is to be paid is recalculated according to the schedules and guidelines of your particular state. It is not a percentage of the number of remaining children. Let's say that you have three children and the amount of support is $300 per week. The new amount is not $100 per child, so therefore when the first child is emancipated the amount does not automatically become $200, it will be recalculated based on two children. One last thought on the subject. Keep in mind that child support is for the children. It is to keep their lifestyles the same as if you were not divorced. Children should not be victims of divorce or deprived of a normal childhood because of it. Additional Child Custody and Divorce Resources and Information:Directory of Attorneys Directory of Mediators Child support enforcement Collecting from a Deadbeat Child Support Calculators FAQ'sChild Support Related ArticlesAmeican Rescue Plan Act and Child Support - Even in the divorce mediation world, everyone is talking about the new law just passed by Congress ... Child Support - Figuring out how the parents are going to support their kids after divorce is an important part of the divorce mediation process ... Child Support - Why Don't People Pay - One of the biggest decisions that affect the children in a divorce is the amount of Child Support that must be paid. ... Child Support Duiring Coronvirus Pandemic - With all the layoffs, furloughs and unemployment accompanying the Covid-19 pandemic, many divorced couples ... Child Support Modification in Georgia - In Georgia, child support orders may be modified upon a showing of a substantial change in either parent's income ... Explaining Child Support - During divorce mediation, divorcing parents are often confused by child support. How is it calculated? ... FERPA and College Contribution - New Jersey divorced parents who help pay for their child's college education are now legally entitled to review their child's grades/transcript. ... Imputing Income for Child Support in New Jersey - It is quite common for the income of one parent - particularly a father - to plummet when marital warfare breaks out. ... Modification of Child Support and/or Alimony After the Loss of a Job in Georgia - With the state of the economy in the United States today, it is not uncommon to hear that more and more people are losing their jobs ... Penalties For Not Paying Child Support in Georgia: License Revocation - Licensing agencies in Georgia can revoke or suspend someone's license if he or she is in arrears behind in paying child support for a period of more than sixty days ... What Constitutes Full-Time College Enrollment/Attendance? - The connection between emancipation and what constitutes full time college enrollment/attendance was recently explored in the ... Miscellaneous Divorce Related ArticlesDomestic Abuse Orders for Protection in Minnesota - Domestic abuse is defined as any of the following committed against a family or household member. The domestic abuse order for protection is only available to the family and household members of the abuser. ... Family Anti-Terrorism - A New Weapon in Domestic Violence Law - New York State Legislature enacted The Family Protection and Domestic Violence Intervention Act which confronts, and allows for the opportunity to acknowledge, domestic violence ... New Jersey Domestic Violence - In 1982, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17, was enacted to address domestic abuse and provide civil remedies for domestic violence victims ... New Jersey Premarital and Cohabitation Agreements - Premarital agreement or antenuptial agreement may be used by a couple to determine, prior to marriage, what each party's rights and obligations will be in the event of divorce. ... Paternity in Minnesota - The days of factual disputes over paternity are long gone, as the issue of biological paternity is now decided by DNA, which is hard to argue with. ... Divorce HQ has additional sites that provide Child Support Information. |
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