Who Pays Child Support If You Have Shared Custody?
If you have shared custody of your children, you may find yourself wondering if you will be required to pay child support. The answer is that it depends. If you and your partner are equally responsible for raising the children, the court will not order child support. The amount of child support payable will depend on both parents’ incomes, as well as other financial factors.
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Depending on the circumstances of your agreement, you may be required to pay child support
Depending on the circumstances of your agreement, the other parent may be entitled to change the amount of child support paid. A modification can be approved by the court or by voluntary negotiation. If the other parent agrees, this is the most effective method for adjusting the amount of child support.
Child support is meant to help families become self-sufficient. It is calculated according to both parents’ income and the needs of the child. Generally, parents with more income are expected to pay higher amounts. However, the guidelines for child support are different in each state.
If you are the only parent, you may be required to pay child support until your child reaches the age of 18. This amount can increase if the child is dependent on you or is enrolled in a full-time education program.
Changing circumstances can result in a modification of your child support obligation
If you are receiving child support from your ex-spouse, you should consider applying for a modification. This can happen for a variety of reasons. For instance, you may have changed jobs or your income has increased. If this occurs, you will want to start gathering documents to show the court how your financial situation has changed. You can also apply for a modification if you take on additional parental responsibilities.
To request a modification, you must contact a qualified child support attorney. In many cases, you can request a hearing before a judge to discuss your situation. Alternatively, you can try to negotiate an agreement with your former partner.
A change in physical custody can also result in a change in your child support obligation. If the noncustodial parent is engaging in abusive behaviors, the judge will not hesitate to change the physical custody arrangement. In these cases, the noncustodial parent will need to pay child support to the new custodial parent.
Joint custody does not always mean equal custody
When a child is entangled in a custody battle, it’s important to understand the differences between joint custody and sole custody. While joint custody usually involves the same amount of time spent with the child, it doesn’t always mean equal parenting time or joint decision-making. You should know what to expect before signing a parenting plan.
In some cases, the courts will award joint legal and physical custody to a third party. This can happen if the child is suffering from a life-threatening illness, requires specialized medical care, or needs specialized education. In such cases, you should be prepared to discuss major decisions with the other parent.
While joint custody is not always equal in terms of time spent with the child, it does mean that both parents share decision-making power for the child. This includes the child’s education, religion, health care, and more. Joint legal and physical custody is an option when the parents can live together for at least 33% of the year.