Child Support Payment Obligations

The consequences from a failure to pay child support vary on a state by state basis and may include administrative, monetary, or criminal penalties.
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Does a Parent Have to Show How They Used Child Support?
Child support is often a contentious matter with mothers feeling that they do not receive enough financial support to properly care for a child and fathers believing that they are being taken advantage of. Some fathers would like the mothers to show how they actually used the money the father sent.
Read moreDoes Joint Custody Mean that Neither Parent has to Pay Child Support?
While it seems sensible that parents who have “joint custody” would not need to pay child support because they both have the child, there are many situations in which one of the parents must provide child support. Read over the following information and then discuss what rules apply to your case with a family lawyer in your jurisdiction.
Read moreCan an Adult Child Be Compensated for Back Child Support?
Child support sometimes takes years to collect when absentee parents intentionally shirk from their responsibilities or take time to catch up to the obligations of a court order. If a child who was the subject of support is now an adult and an existing support order is in place, questions can arise as to whether the child should be entitled to the support.
Read moreWhen Child Support Is Ordered after the Age of 18
In most situations, child support is ordered until the child reaches the age of 18. However, child support obligations are based on state laws and decisions in individual cases. There are several instances when child support can be ordered past the age of 18.
Read moreWhat Should Fathers Do to Get Child Support from Mothers?
When individuals think about child support, they usually think about fathers supporting their children while the mother maintains primary custody. However, there are instances when fathers are entitled to child support.
Read moreChild Support Payments When There Is Joint Custody
Child support after the parents are no longer in a marriage together is usually necessary to ensure that the child has assistance and help throughout his or her years as a minor.
Read moreContributing to the Delinquency of a Minor - What Actions Apply?
There are numerous actions that an adult can engage in with a minor which may lead to charges of the delinquency of that minor. Such actions often include encouraging the child to drink alcohol, consume drugs, or participate in illegal activities. When the minor is under the age fo eighteen, such conduct by the adult can lead to criminal charges.
Read moreChild Support Arrears Deposited to Child’s Bank Account but I Am Not Getting Credit for the Deposit
Often, when a noncustodial parent owes money in back child support, he or she will need to prove that the money was transferred through various means such as receipts or electronic digital transfer evidence. There are various methods of ensuring that the noncustodial parent does receive credit for deposits when there is none initially.
Read moreDifferences in Legal Fathers and Biological Fathers and Their Legal Duties
There are differences in legal and biological fathers, and the legal duties of each are different as well which may affect the family unit, cause problems or resolve issues. When the father starts out as a biological parent, he is able to become the legal definition of a father through his own actions and how he presents himself to the child.
Read moreHow Long Do I Have to Pay Child Support?
Child support laws vary by each state, so the rules that apply in one jurisdiction may not apply in another. However, many of the states follow some of the general guidelines discussed below.
Read moreImpact of Extracurricular Activities and Extraordinary Expenses on Child Support
States establish basic guidelines to determine how much support one parent should pay to the other for the benefit of their child. In some situations, the court may order more than just the basic amount based on extracurricular or extraordinary expenses. Knowing about this possibility can help parents know their rights.
Read moreHow Long Does Child Support Last For?
While individual states may vary as to how they calculate child support, one constant is that states recognize that both parents have the legal duty to provide their children with basic necessities and to provide for their needs. The duration of a child support order depends on a number of factors.
Read moreIs Workers’ Comp Considered When Determining Child Support?
The need for a workers’ compensation claim arises when the employee of a company with this package suffers injury while working for the business and cannot work during recovery. In these situations, it is important for the courts to consider all matters that may affect spousal and child support to ensure that payments transfer as necessary.
Read moreSelf-Employment Income Is Irregular - How Is Child Support Determined?
Irregular income is a considerable concern for one parent when working for his or her own business or by seeking out clients to provide the employment each month. While almost always a mandatory process to provide for the youth, the courts must calculate the determinate amount the parent will pay each month.
Read moreImputed Income – What Is It and How Will It Affect My Child Support Order?
The determination in both spousal and child support generally requires certain factors that the judge will need to consider such as unemployment, the capacity to earn and when one spouse is reporting less than it appears he or she is accruing currently. These elements in child support will often affect the amount and total of support payments.
Read moreUnder-Employed Parents and the Attribution of Income for Child Support & Alimony Orders
If one party involved in the child support and alimony is not employed sufficiently, the judge may attribute income to this person. Attribution may affect cases where one person has a greater potential to earn income than he or she currently attempts because of one factor or another, and the attributed income may change alimony payments available.
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