Child support is a financial obligation to support a child or children. It’s calculated according to the standard of living of the child before the divorce. To calculate the amount, parents fill out a financial form that details their monthly income and expenses. Then, the court reviews the information. The amount can vary depending on the child’s needs. If one parent is unable to meet his or her child support obligation, the other parent must make up the difference.
Child support payments can vary by state. Most states have guidelines that determine what the custodial parent should and cannot pay. While the non-custodial parent is usually the one who pays the support, both parents can pay support. A parent should never use child support funds for personal expenses. Misusing child support funds can lead to legal trouble. Common examples of this are buying clothes, visiting salons, or taking a vacation. Any money left over each month should be saved to pay for future expenses for the child.
Spousal support payments can also be changed if the circumstances have changed substantially. To do this, the person paying the support needs to file a modification petition. An agreement between the spouses can also change the amount of support. However, the change must be significant enough for a court to make the change. In addition, there may be time limits on the payments.
Child support payments are often calculated according to the income levels of both parents. In addition, a court can order one parent to continue providing health insurance for the children. The amount of health insurance is split proportionally between the two parents. The court can also order the custodial parent to apply for a state child health insurance plan for the children. This is usually done through a court-ordered application. There are other factors that can influence the amount of child support ordered in a divorce.
In order to calculate child support in San Diego, the court will review the financial information reported on each parent. The income of each parent is taken into account, as well as the number of children being supported. The court will also consider any income that was not reported on the tax returns. Once these factors are reviewed, the court will arrive at a child support percentage based on the number of children shared and the age of the children. A court may also use the Child Support Standards Chart for calculations.
The receiving parent is also allowed to modify the child support agreement if he or she feels that the payments are too high. It’s important to remember that child support payments do not last forever. They usually end when the child reaches the age of 18, but they may extend up to the age of 20 if the child is enrolled in college.
Child support is calculated based on the amount of income the non-custodial parent earns, minus certain deductions. For example, if one parent earns $70,000 per year, the court will multiply that amount by 25% to arrive at a child support obligation of $17,500. Depending on the number of children, the court will determine whether the non-custodial parent must pay more than $21,000 in child support.
If the non-custodial parent is unable to make the payments, the court may reduce the amount of child support to $50 or $25 per month. The non-custodial parent may also request a support violation petition in the family court. A parent has the right to hire a highly-skilled child support attorney serving San Diego to help them with the process. The court will consider whether the non-payment is willful or not. In cases where child support is not paid, the child support agency or Department of Social Services will file a lawsuit to reduce the child support to a smaller amount.
A child support attorney can help parents collect their child support payments and receive the money in a timely manner. Child support orders often need to be updated to reflect a child’s needs and circumstances. For instance, a parent’s income suddenly increases or decreases. Having an attorney assist with this process can be beneficial in the long run.
In addition to income, parents must bring documentation of expenses for the child. These expenses include doctor’s visits, eyeglasses, dental care, and prescription medications. A parent may also choose to cover the child’s health insurance. In addition to medical and dental care expenses, children’s education costs include books, supplies, and clothing for the child. Even extracurricular activities, such as summer camps, can incur expenses.