What important factors influence child support in a Minnesota divorce?
The Minnesota Income Shares formula includes the gross income of BOTH parents in figuring the amount of child support. The amount of court-ordered parenting time (visitation) is considered in calculating basic support. If a parent has the child between 10 percent and 45 percent of the time, the parent gets a 12 percent adjustment (reduction) in child support owed. If the parenting time is less than 10 percent, there is no adjustment to child support. Percentage of time is generally calculated by counting the overnights the child spends with the parent. The law presumes that both parents can or should work and earn an income. The income shares formula considers potential income as a factor in determining support. By law, if the parents do not provide specific details about their income, the Court will set child support based on other available evidence including past work experience and the current legal minimum wage—or it will set a minimum amount provided for in the law.
