Here's Everything You Should Know About Child Support

Child support is a critical aspect of family law, ensuring that children receive the financial support they need after their parents have separated or divorced. It's a legal obligation designed to cover the cost of raising a child, including necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. Understanding the ins and outs of child support is essential for both parents, as it impacts the well-being of the child and the financial stability of both parents. This article provides a comprehensive overview of child support, including the consequences of not paying child support.

How Child Support is Calculated

In the US, child support is calculated based on numerous factors. These factors consider:

●Parental income: One of the major determinants is the total income earned by both parents.

●Number of children: The more children being supported means more money.

●Time spent with children: The amount of time each parent spent with them is put into account during computations.

●Parenting schedule: For shared parental responsibility, the guidelines take into account an established parenting schedule.

●Childcare expenses: If applicable, childcare costs are taken into account by these standards.

These guidelines ensure that children receive adequate financial support to meet their basic needs irrespective of their parents’ marital status.

Purpose of Child Support

The key objective of child support is to look after the welfare of a child. The purpose of these payments is to ensure that, were their parents still married or not, the children would have good standards of living. These funds are usually used in:

●Everyday expenses like food, clothing, and bills.

●School-related costs such as books and extra-curricular activities.

●Medical services, health insurance coverage, physicians’ visits, etc.

●Provision of shelter, which involves paying rent or mortgage for a stable living place

Child support should not be employed as a means to punish or reward an ex-spouse but rather as an obligation imposed by law to ensure that a child’s needs are met consistently.

What Are Judgment Modifications, and When Can You Request One?

In the US, legal approval is required for any changes made in payments towards child support unless there are exceptional conditions under which this can be done by order of the court. If there is denial of visitation rights for non-custodial parents, then they may require the modification of child support orders. 

However, it must be noted that just because you haven’t seen your kids doesn’t absolve you from meeting your obligations regarding them through payment of child support. Courts will need substantial evidence showing one or more changes, among which include:

●Change in parental income: An increase or decrease in income may warrant a modification.

●Change in custody or visitation arrangements: This might lead to review if the custodial parent moves away or denies visitation rights.

●Substantial changes in the child's needs: This might trigger reevaluation when costs rise due to medical complications or due to educational requirements increasing.

Consequences of Not Paying Child Support

Penalties are severe for failure to pay child support, and this is done so as to make sure that non-custodial parents fulfill their financial responsibilities. Some consequences of not paying child support include:

●Wage garnishment

●Tax refund interception

●Driver’s license suspension

●Contempt of court

●Impact on credit score

These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to court-ordered child support. Ignoring the obligation only leads to more issues, both legally and financially.

Addressing Visitation Issues

●Get a lawyer: If you can’t see your child even though you have been paying child support, there are legal remedies.

●Filing motion for contempt: You can file a motion for contempt if the custodial parent fails to honor court-ordered visitation.

●Modification of custody request: You have a right to ask for custody modification when it is appropriate and which would better reflect what is in the best interest of the child.

●Settle through mediation: Instead of having expensive litigation between two parents, it is good to seek mediation, hence finding solutions to any disputes.

It is always recommended that people should handle such matters legally rather than withholding child support due to other reasons.