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Factors Used in Setting Child Support
When adults have children, they become legally obligated to financially support them until the age of majority, which is usually 18. Therefore, divorced parents with children under age 18 will almost always owe some amount of child support. States, like California for instance, may provide a government website with a Child Support Calculator. Alternatively, a parent can go in person to the local courthouse to get free help from a “family law facilitator” regarding the factors used in determining child support amounts.
The calculation of child support depends on numerous factors. Perhaps the most important is how much money the parents earn. Both parents’ incomes are taken into consideration. Also, the amount a parent is able to earn is considered – that is, if a doctor in his 40s is lying on the beach all day instead of working, she or he may still owe child support even with no income. A related factor is how much other income each parent receives. For example, parents may earn interest or other investment income.
The next set of factors concerns the family structure – that is, how many children are involved. Obviously, more kids means more money (a truism every parent can attest to). There is the factor of how much time each parent spends with their children – in this case, more time spent with kids usually means less money owed to the other parent for child support.
The tax filing status of each parent is important, for reasons beyond the scope of this article. Other factors include: support of children from other relationships, health insurance expenses, union dues, retirement contributions, daycare, uninsured health-care costs, traveling to visit kids, and school expenses.
This list is not exhaustive. Family law courts are designated “courts of equity,” which means they can and do take into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances in determining the most just and fair outcome of the case. They are charged primarily with looking out for the best interests of the child.
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