Child support obligations should be approached always with the best interests of children in mind. Children have the right to be supported by both parents, and child support payments that will help them be clothed, fed, and ready for school are just one facet of that support. As with every aspect of determining how to approach parenting after divorce, it is absolutely vital that parents consult with a family law practitioner in their area to prepare.
While child support recommendations share many similarities across states, parents need to know the specifics of their region to make sure their child support meets their state's regulations. While this has been the case for many years, these are not the only terms currently used to refer to these topics.
You will find these terms as well as custody used on the OurFamilyWizard website. Knowing what to do after separation might not be so obvious. If you have decided to separate, here…. Select your Language. Search Search. Learn More For Families. For Practitioners. Knowledge Center. For Families. Sign Up Login. Sign Up Now Learn More. Divorce Finances. Shared Physical Custody and Child Support Child support obligations may be modified in certain states when parenting time is shared.
Additional Support Beyond the expenses of food, shelter, and clothing that are covered by basic child support, many states include additional expenses when calculating the final financial obligations of parents after a divorce or separation.
Our family law attorneys at the DiPietro Family Law Group can provide some insight on how you can or should use that child support check. Undeniably, your child needs food, shelter, and proper clothing. At a minimum, child support payments can be used to purchase groceries, snacks, beverages and other food items for your child. Payments can also be used to buy appropriate clothing, shoes, jackets, etc. If your child is attending a private school, then your divorce settlement agreement should address who is paying for the tuition.
If you do not, the court may apportion tuition costs to the noncustodial parent. However, even if your child attends public school, you know education is not entirely free. There are several fees associated with educating your child, such as school supplies crayons, markers, pencils, notebooks, etc. Therefore, the child support payments you receive can be used to help pay for these costs of educating your child. Children need entertainment and stimulation. Most courts hold that a child is entitled to basic entertainment, like television programs, games and the internet.
There are a number of basic things parents should know, though. First of all, a custodial parent is defined as the parent who has primary custody of a child for the majority of the time. Defining a non-custodial parent , on the other hand, is a little more complicated. Generally, it refers to the parent who does not have physical custody of a child, though they may have legal custody.
While fathers are most often associated with being the non-custodial parent, this is not always the case and many mothers are responsible for paying child support as well. Likewise, a non-custodial parent may remain very involved in their child's life and parents may choose to co-parent. It's also important to keep in mind that child support is not dependent on the parents having been married.
No matter the circumstances, the goal of child support is that the parents split the financial responsibility associated with raising their children. This typically means that the non-custodial parent makes regular payments to help cover the child's basic needs. The amount of child support is based on both parent's income. Each state has different guidelines to calculate the payments. Parents who owe child support but are unable to pay should consider filing for a child support modification.
Similarly, if you need to apply for public assistance , any child support you receive may become a factor in what you qualify for. Money paid as child support is intended to be used for the care of the children involved. It is not for the custodial parent to use for their own expenses. This is where things can get confusing and conflicts may potentially arise. In general, child support is designed to maintain a child's living standard and ensure all their basic needs are covered.
The money can be used to pay for necessities like:. While the custodial parent often receives the child support payment, it should not be used for their personal expenses that are unrelated to their children. Misuse of funds includes things like clothing, salon services, or entertainment and vacations that don't involve the child.
Even if money is left over in any given month, it should be saved for future expenses related to the children.
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