How are child support guidelines set?

The initial point for determining child support usually is the state’s guideline that considers the income of the parents, the number of children, and typically some other factors. The formulas are based on studies of how much families ordinarily spend for raising children. Courts input the applicable numbers into the formula and arrive at an amount of support that should be paid for the child or children. The guideline applies equally to children born to married parents and to children born out of wedlock.

The amount of money a parent will have to pay in child support varies from state to state because each state has its own guidelines, as well as the fact that judges may differ in their willingness to depart from guidelines.
Generally, there are two types of child support guidelines. One type is based on the income of the person who is supposed to pay child support, the obligor, and the number of children. The other type of guideline is based on the income of both parents and number of children. This second type of guideline often is referred to as the income shares model.

In addition to the guidelines, parents can argue that because of special circumstances, a court should order more or less support than the guideline amount. While support orders can be reviewed by one of the parties filing a motion or petition with the court based on a change in circumstances, in some states, support orders are automatically reviewed every few years to make sure payments are consistent with current income and the support guidelines.  CLICK HERE FOR CHILD SUPPORT HELP

Active Service Members and Child Custody- What to do?

What soldiers should do before deployment? A soldier should make sure that he or she is well versed in the benefits and detriments of the potential application of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to his or her specific situation. Ideally, both parties should strive to reach a consent order rather than litigating the issue and allowing the decision to a judge. If, the child custody order should be drafted in anticipation of deployment or mobilization and should address the service member reuniting with the child at the end of the military assignment. The facts should address circumstances such as the home state of the child and the current child custody arrangement with respect to, and without limitation to, the education and housing of the child. However, because no one can predict the potential problems that may occur with negotiated temporary orders many states have drafted, or are currently drafting, legislation that will prevent service members from having to make a choice between their country and their children.  CLICK HERE FOR CHILD CUSTODY HELP

Modifying a Child Support Order

The determination of the initial amount of of child support is done at the time the original child support order is entered. However, the law recognizes that circumstances, as well as income and expenses, can change over time. The process of changing an existing child support order to reflect the changed circumstances is called a modification.  In many jurisdictions, the law permits a modification of the amount of a support order
if a recalculation of the support amount using the child support guidelines shows a change of at least 10% when compared to the existing support order. This means ten percent up OR down.

If you think a change in your income, the other parent’s income, or some related expense necessitates a change in the support amount, your first step should be to run the numbers through a new child support calculation. If the resulting figure differs from the current child support order by more than 10% either way, a modification may be in order.

Some of the more common factors that may lead to a modification include:
■ a significant change in parenting time, such as the number of nights a child spends at a parent’s residence
■ a parent’s loss of employment
■ the return of a parent to school

You may think you are entitled to a modification if your ex has remarried. However, most guidelines only factor in the incomes  of the two parents of the child in question.

If you believe you are entitled to a modification of your support amount, you may want to take immediate action. You may try to bring a legal action to modify your support order to court independently, with low-cost attorney assistance.  CLICK HERE for a free case evaluation.