There are two types of child support cases:
The family court or the appropriate court of the state issues child support orders. Parents can agree to support amounts and duration a in separation agreement.
There are three popular models for calculating the amount of child support someone will pay:
Income Shares Model: The income shares model is based on the concept that a child should receive the same proportion of income from the parent as he or she would have if the parents were together.
While the formula may vary by state, essentially you add both parent’s gross incomes together to determine the total family income available. Then using the guidelines determine the amount needed to support the child. This amount is the total child support. Next, the total support obligation is prorated between the parents in proportion to their incomes. As an example, if the parents combined monthly income is $4,000 with the non-custodial parent earning $3,000 and the custodial parent earning $1,000, then the non-custodial parent would be responsible for 75% of the support for the child.
The income shares model is the most popular model of the three models and 39 states have adopted it.
Percentage of Income Model: Support is based on the noncustodial parent’s income regardless of the custodial parent’s income. Nine states have adopted the percentage of income model. These states include Illinois, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Melson Formula Model: The Melson model has been adopted by Delaware and Hawaii. It modifies the income shares model to factor in other considerations such as the parent’s self-support needs and standard of living. There is a six-step process for calculating the child’s needs.
Health Insurance and Expenses
The court may require one or both parents to provide health insurance for the child if it is available at a reasonable cost. The cost of coverage for the child is calculated as:
The court may order out-of-pocket health care expenses be paid. The order can provide for one or both parents to pay for these expenses. Dental insurance or expenses may also be included.
In IV-D cases, child support is paid to the State Child Support Collection and Disbursement Unit. The State Child Support Collection and Disbursement Unit then pays support to the custodial parent less a processing fee. Or, if the custodial parent is on public assistance, the State keeps child support payments to offset the assistance the parent is receiving from the State for the care of the minor child.
The State agency monitors compliance and initiates any action for enforcement procedures it considers appropriate. There is no leeway for a former spouse being understanding or trusting that the noncustodial parent will come through following a difficult patch. This means that any disputes must go through the courts. Both parents must keep the State agency informed of his or her residential address. Failure to do so can be considered contempt of court.
The noncustodial parent may pay one or more payments directly to the custodial parent but proof of payment must still be provided to the agency monitoring payments in IV-D cases.
If any child support arrearages exist after the obligation to pay monthly ends, they remain due. Failing to pay arrearages as arranged would still be contempt of court even though your child is an adult.
When the amount of arrearage exceeds the Federal Deadbeat Parents Act limit, prison and fines may be ordered.
An order may be modified or vacated due to a change of circumstances of either party. Changes of circumstances may include, but are not limited to the following scenarios:
It is very important to petition for a modification of child support orders if circumstances change in ways that make it impossible to pay as currently ordered. It is important to act as soon as you are able because modifications do not change the amount that was due before the modification.
Visit our state-specific pages for more information: