How is the amount of child support determined?
Federal law now requires that the amount of a child support payment be set in accordance with a guideline. Having a guideline is believed to prevent widely different amounts of child support being ordered from courtroom to courtroom. Guidelines provide an objective basis for the determination of the amount of support to be paid. As a result, most states have established formulas that are used to determine the amount of the payment from one parent to the other. Generally speaking the child support obligor will be required to pay 20% of his / her net resources per month for one child, 25% for two children, 30% for three children and 35% for four children.
One or both parents owing a duty of support to a child may be ordered to pay child support. The amount may be stipulated to by the parties, but must meet certain standards. The court has some discretion in determining the amount of child support, but must generally follow statutory guidelines and other factors. Minnesota statutory guidelines are found at Minn. Stat. 518.
Federal law now requires that the amount of a child support payment be set in accordance with a guideline. Having a guideline is believed to prevent widely different amounts of child support being ordered from courtroom to courtroom. Guidelines provide an objective basis for the determination of the amount of support to be paid. As a result, most states have established formulas that are used to determine the amount of the payment from one parent to the other.
• Child support is determined using guidelines established by California law. Child support guidelines are based on each parent’s monthly income and the amount of time the child is cared for by each parent. The Court Commissioner or Family Law Judge will set the amount of a child support order. The court will consider income from all sources. The income can be in the form of money, property, or services and can include: • Wages from a job • Tips • Commissions • Bonuses • Self-employment earnings • Unemployment benefits • Disability and workers’ compensation • Interest • Dividends • Rental income • Social Security or pensions • Any payments or credits due or becoming due, regardless of the source, including lottery and prize winnings. For more information, see the California Guideline Child Support Payment Calculator User Guide. If you have any questions about the child support guidelines, you should talk with a lawyer or contact a Family Law Facilitator, or your local child support age
It is the legal responsibility of both parents to financially support the child. The State of California has established guidelines to determine the amount of child support. These guidelines are based, in part, on the parents’ monthly income and the amount of custody/visitation each parent has with the child. For further detail of how child support is calculated, click here.
