Child Support takes numerous factors into consideration including: the income of the parties’, the needs of the child(ren), the time each parent spends with the child(ren), whether or not the child is in daycare, who pays health insurance for the child(ren), and a array of other factors.

Child Support is calculated using a pre-established formula; it is usually computed by your local Friend of the Court or often by an attorney with working knowledge of the interplay between the child support factors and the party’s unique circumstance.

Below are some typical questions parties have in regards to child support.

Does the child support formula take into consideration that I have other children?

Yes, the child support formula takes into consideration whether or not you have additional children, biological or adopted, living in your home or for which you pay support.

The formula does not take into consideration whether or not you have step-children living in your home.

Does the child support formula take into consideration who will be claiming the child(ren) for tax purposes?

Yes, the child support formula takes into consideration who is able to claim the child(ren) for tax purposes. Usually the party with sole physical custody of the child(ren) is the person who claims the children for tax purposes.

Should I care if the child support formula has some inaccuracies, for example if it says I only have 84 overnights with my child(ren) but I actually spend more time with him/them?

Yes, you should scrutinize any child support recommendation you receive. If you allow a small inaccuracy to become an order of the court without correcting it, this small inaccuracy could have a larger impact in the future.