Child Support

One parent may be ordered to pay child support to the other when one parent is responsible for the children more than half the time, or when one parent makes substantially more money than the other parent. The basic principle underlying a child support order is that parents have a legal obligation to provide support for their children at a level consistent with their income. In general this obligation will continue until the children finish high school.

From a practical standpoint, the amount of a child support order stems from a math formula establishing basic guideline support. It takes into account a number of factors, including the amount of time each parent spends with the children, the number of children, the income of the parents and their tax filing status, along with certain tax deductions and other expenses. The child support order will be based on the factors going into the guideline formula. When these factors change, often due to a change in one party’s income, child support can be reviewed and modified as necessary. Many attorneys have access to computer software which calculates guideline support.

Learn more about Spousal Support.