The amount of child support that a parent is obligated to pay depends on the relative share of the total income attributable to that parent.
For example: if the parent’s expenses for meeting the child’s needs are to be $600 per month; and the income of a person who does not have a child in their care is equal to 2/3 of the total income; then that person is required to pay $400 in child support per month (2/3 of the base amount).
This amount can be reduced if children stay overnight with the person paying alimony at least 40% of the time.
Cash benefits and Social Security supplemental benefits are not included in income.
To determine the parent’s net income, the following should be subtracted from the monthly gross income:
- income taxes imposed by the federal, state, and local governments;
- deductions for social insurance by the federal law on “Insurance Contributions”;
- unemployment insurance contributions and local service taxes;
- mandatory contributions to the pension fund provided by the parent’s employer;
- compulsory trade union fees.
If the parent’s monthly net income is less than $931, the court usually assumes that the parent may be providing very little financial support.
In this case, the court may issue a decision obliging the parent to find a job.
What if a parent has an obligation to support more than one family?
Sometimes the person who is required to provide financial support also has other children. In such a case, the court relies on existing financial support. It guidelines to determine the amount of child support each family should receive.
If the total amount of financial support for all families exceeds half of the parent’s net income, the court may reduce the amount of financial support required. The children of each family must be treated fairly and no family can be preferred.
What if a father does not acknowledge paternity?
If the man does not admit that he is the father of the child, then the Administration for Children and Families can order a genetic examination of the DNA of the man, child, and his mother.
The rejection of the acknowledgment of paternity must take place at an early stage. Otherwise, the presumption of paternity of a man may apply.
In some cases, a man is considered a father regardless of the results of genetic testing.
Can child support be directly deducted from the parent’s salary?
In most cases, the court, as part of the original alimony order, automatically provides for the withholding of part of the wages. This means that the parent’s employer is obliged to withhold child support directly from the parent’s salary.
What happens if a parent does not pay child support?
If a parent is in arrears in child support payments, Administration for Children and Families may increase the payroll deduction. The Administration for Children and Families may also use lottery winnings, federal income tax refunds, personal property, and bank accounts of the parent to pay off debt.
Can the order on the appointment of alimony be changed?
The decision on the appointment of alimony can be changed in the event of a significant change in the financial situation of the parent, for example, an increase or decrease in income.
Parents are required to inform the Administration for Children and Families
of changes in their financial situation within seven days. A parent who believes that the other parent did not provide information about an improvement in their financial situation may request a hearing on this matter.
To request a change in the child support order, a parent must contact Administration for Children and Families and fill out a form. Thereafter, a date for the stakeholder meeting will be set.
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