How Much Child Support Is There When There is 50/50 Child Custody? 

In a 50/50 custody situation, one parent might not have to pay child support. However, it’s important to know that this is not a given. It is up to the judge to decide. 

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In general, the judge will base child support on what is in the best interest of the children. This is based on each parent’s income and expenses, as well as the needs of the children. 

Generally, the higher-earning parent will be required to pay child support to the lower-earning parent. The judge will also look at the financial circumstances of each party and the amount of parenting time. 

If the children have extraordinary expenses, then the court may order that these be paid by the paying parent. These costs can include things like orthodontia and other specialized medical treatment for children. 

Most states have published income and expense calculators to make it easy for parties to calculate a “presumptive” monthly payment amount. Once this figure is determined, it can be submitted to the court for approval. 

The judge will then use this figure to determine what percentage of the parents’ combined monthly income should be used for child support. This percentage will then be divided by the total of both parents’ monthly incomes. 

Depending on the state, the parent who has more custody will pay for more of the child’s basic living expenses, including food, clothing and shelter. This can be a very significant amount of money, especially for low-income parents. 

In addition, the non-custodial parent may be ordered to purchase health insurance for the children. This is to ensure that the children have access to affordable healthcare. 

Some child support laws also allow for a parent to file a modification or review of the support order, if there are changes in the party’s income or the needs of the children. This can be a good idea in cases where there are unexpected changes, such as a new job or an increase in the children’s expenses. 

This can be done at any time if the party wishes, and a judge will likely consider it. In addition, it can be a good idea to talk to your lawyer about how this might impact the outcome of your case. 

While a 50/50 custody arrangement can be beneficial for children, it doesn’t relieve the obligation to pay child support to their other parent. If the higher-earning parent is able to provide the children with a better lifestyle than the other parent, they should still be required to pay for the difference in the cost of their living. 

If a parent can’t afford to make the necessary payments, it may be in their best interest to find another job. This will not only reduce the stress of paying child support but will also increase their net income. 

The lower-earning parent can usually take the higher-earning parent’s tax deductions as a way to offset the difference in their income. This is often a great advantage, but it can be difficult for some people.