Child Support. Your Rights. Your Responsibilities.

In matters of child support, the basic underlying premise is always that the dissolving of a relationship should have no impact on the economic welfare of the child. Regardless of whether the family income is high or low, whether the individual incomes of the spouses are similar or vary greatly, the child’s lifestyle should not be unduly affected.

Determining Payment Amounts

Under the current Child Support Guidelines the amount of financial support that you receive or will be expected to pay is based on several factors:

 Financial Requirements of the Child - The Courts tend to follow pre-established

guidelines for those situations in which the parents’ combined net income is up

to $150,800. Where the family income exceeds $150,800, the Court determines the financial support required to maintain the child’s lifestyle. This decision is based upon several criteria, including the age of the child, special health, educational and emotional needs, and the lifestyle the child has historically enjoyed. Child support is considered to cover food, clothing and shelter. Other costs, such as college expenses, health insurance and day care all need to be considered separately.

 Relative Net Incomes of the Parents - The amount of each parents’ responsibility

toward the pre-determined figure is based on his or her relative contribution to the combined net income.

 Shared Parenting and Visitation Adjustments – The Child Support Guidelines

also adjusts child support awards to reflect the child related cost for parents who share custody of their children.

Making the Process Easier

Meet with your attorney armed with information including your prior year’s tax return, W2 statement, current pay stubs, estimate of personal and family expenses, and where possible, the other parent’s income information. If you are seeking a modification,

also be sure to bring any prior court orders.

Your lawyer should:

• Uunderstand your needs and issues
•  Organize and complete all relevant financial documents
•  Carefully analyze guidelines for your particular case
•  Try to negotiate an agreement before applying to court
•  Be fully familiar with Child Support Guidelines and how they apply

Above all else, child support is about the welfare of the child. When this is recognized

by both parties, all relevant issues can be resolved with far less emotional and financial trauma.