All children have the right to be financially supported by both of their parents whenever possible. This is why child support orders are put in place. In the eyes of the law, the needs of a child are always the priority. Therefore, making sure that they are financially supported so that they have the best possible opportunities in life is the objective of the family courts.
In an ideal situation, parents who are no longer in a relationship will be able to agree on how much the non-custodial parent will pay to support their child. If they are able to agree, the amount that they pay will be based on their disposable income and the amount of time that they have custody of the child.
For example, a parent who has 40% physical custody of their child will likely pay less than a parent who doesn’t have any custody, since they do not share any of the associated costs of bringing up the child. If you and your co-parent can’t agree on child support, a court will make the decision.
How child support amounts are determined
Most states have formulas that determine child support payments. The formula usually takes into account the non-custodial parent’s income, expenses, and the number of children that they have. Using this formula, no parent should have to pay more than they can afford.
If you don’t believe that you have a fair child support agreement, you can look at the possibility of modifying your current child support order. An experienced family law attorney can help you.