Divorce often results in an unstable financial situation particularly if one parent does not have a job. Luckily, there’s child support required by law for parents who were not given full custody of the child. This is a significant contribution meant to support any child’s basic needs including education.

Any divorced parent granted full custody of a child has the right to seek child support and noncustodial parents are obligated by law to pay child support on a regular basis. This applies even to the unmarried couples so long as they are acknowledged parents of the child.

Paying child support should be consistent at all times. A noncustodial parent should not use this as a way to get back at his ex-spouse especially concerning visitation issues. The family law in all U.S. states clearly states that parents are not allowed to withhold support due to visitation conflicts. The only exception to the law is when a custodial parent spends a long time with the kids outside of their area of residence without the knowledge of the other parent and visitation was not possible. If this happens, some courts allow the noncustodial parent to temporarily suspend paying child support.

There’s no standard amount as to how much child support a parent should provide. States differ in their guidelines such as in their percentage formulas. The formula in calculating the amount takes into account the income of both parents, the number of children and other factors. The percentage formulas were created based on studies that looked into the amount normally spent in child rearing including the estimated proportion of a parent’s net or gross income that would have been allotted to supporting a child if the family was intact.

Some states consider a parent’s gross income while the others use net income. Gross income not only covers the wages but investments and other sources as well. Net income refers to the gross income deducted by taxes from the federal and state, social security, medicare and health insurance. Business expenses seen valid by the courts may be taken into consideration before computing for net income. The good news is that a child support software can now be utilized in computing for an accurate amount based on court guidelines. This tool is easy to use, affordable and easily downloadable.

Courts, however, may not stick with the guidelines all the time. They may grant petitions for higher or lower child support in certain circumstances. These include higher expenses for medical and dental care of the child not covered by insurance and voluntary unemployment of the parent obligated to pay child support. Another reason for asking a higher child support is for the enrollment of a child in summer camp and private school.

Payment of child support is usually done through the Department of Revenue (DOR). The amount is deducted by the employer from the parent’s paycheck and then sends it to the Revenue department. It is the DOR’s responsibility then to send the child support to the custodial parent. This so-called income assignment, though, may be modified or suspended depending on the agreement of the parents or court order.

Child support refers to the obligations, following divorce, of a noncustodial parent towards the upkeep of the child. Typically, child support takes the form of regular payments made by the non-custodial parent to the parent who has custody of the child.

What is the justification for child support?

In a sole custody, one parent is awarded the custody of the child. The custodial parent keeps the child, this being his or her contribution towards the upbringing of the child. The noncustodial parent, who usually has visiting rights to the child, fulfills his or her responsibility by contributing to the financial cost of maintaining the child.

What happens in case of joint custody?

In case of joint custody, child support is usually divided between both parents, usually based on how their individual incomes measure against the sum of their joint earnings, and on the amount of time the child stays with each parent.

How is the amount of child support decided?

Child support is typically calculated by taking into consideration the requirements needs of the . Individual states have, however, have formulated their own guidelines to calculate the amount, so that the actual amount may vary widely even in similar circumstances.

These factors are generally taken into consideration while calculating child support:

• The child’s needs
• Ability of the parent to pay
• Standard of living of the child before the parents’ divorce
• The custodial parent’s needs

What happens if a parent cannot pay child support?

Usually a parent is expected to pay the sum due as child in keeping with the dates decided upon by the court. In case of a valid reason, such as altered financial conditions, a parent may approach the court with a request to modify the amount of child support. If granted, this will be applicable only to future payments. In this case, the judge will also order the parent to pay in full, any arrears, or overdue payments, immediately.

Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority.