How is child support determined?
In Florida, child support is among the few areas of divorce law that is determined according to strict statutory guidelines. In calculating child support, the court looks at the total available income of both spouses, then determines the percentage each spouse’s share bears to the total income of the parents. The percentages are then multiplied by the child support guideline amount found in the schedules listed in Chapter 61, Florida Statutes, thereby determining the amount for which each spouse is responsible. In addition to basic child support, the court will also determine responsibility for medical and dental care, day care and for special expenses applicable to the couples’ minor children.
A Court can order one party to pay child support to the party with whom the child is residing. The amount of “Child Support” is determined by examining each party’s income and deductions such as taxes, social security, union dues and health insurance. Once this is computed, a child support award is computed based on the number of children. The computation is made with reference to Child Support Guidelines which the Federal Government mandate each state to adopt. In Connecticut, the Child Support Guidelines are based on the parents income and what it costs to raise children in the State of Connecticut. A Court can only deviate from the Guidelines in specific circumstances.
Child support in California is based upon statutory child support guidelines that determine the amount of child support to be paid. Although it is possible to work the figures out using the complex formula set forth in the Family Code, virtually all courts use a special legal software program to compute the figures.
Most state laws have guidelines to determine child support payments. The payment amount is based on each parent’s income and the amount of time he or she spends with the children. The guidelines also provide for add-on amounts for the following expenses: • Child care • Health care and health insurance • Special educational or other needs • Travel-related visitationParents can increase or decrease the guideline amount if the following conditions are met: • Both parents acknowledge they are fully informed of their rights under state law and the amount of child support is mutually agreed on, • Both parents declare the agreed upon amount is in the children’s best interests and will adequately meet their needs, and • For welfare recipients, the right to support has not been assigned to the county, and neither parent has a public assistance application pending. Keep in mind that the judges presiding over divorces are the ultimate authority on child support decisions. They can deviate from th
In all matters in which child support is ordered or modified, the court is required, by law, to calculate the amount of support in accordance with current child support guidelines established by the Ohio Supreme Court. The court must use specific worksheets to calculate the child support obligation.
