On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Support on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.
Parents in Illinois and throughout the country may be required to pay child support even if they have shared custody of their children. Most states have formulas to determine how much a parent must pay. This formula uses variables such as how much an individual makes and how many other children he or she must support.
It is possible that a divorced couple with children will create their own support plan. This will allow them to provide financially for the children without the need for a court order. However, if an order is granted, it will generally be in effect even when a child is with the noncustodial parent. The ruling will stay in effect because it may still be necessary to pay medical, housing or other recurring costs regardless of where the child is at any given time.
In some cases, the amount of support that a parent is ordered to pay will be cut in half when he or she has joint custody. A judge may also determine that the person who made more money in a relationship will be the noncustodial parent and pay support to the other parent. However, this will only be done in the event that a court can come to a ruling that is fair for both sides.
The best interests of the child are generally the top priority in a family law case. Therefore, child support orders are structured in a way that provides for their needs while also taking the ability of a parent to pay into account. However, once an order is made, the courts take child support enforcement seriously. An attorney may help a person who is struggling to make payments or a parent who is trying to obtain payments in a timely manner.
