Many divorces involve children. Over 60 percent. This makes divorcing a bit more complicated. Of course, both spouses want what is best for their children and want their children to be properly cared for. The courts want that too and they usually make it happen in the form of child support arrangements.
Most people are familiar with the concept of child support, but do you really know the ins and outs? If you have never had to be a part of a child support arrangement, why would you? Not to worry though. If you are contemplating divorce or have a divorce on the horizon and you have children to think about, here are the basics when it comes to child support so you can be prepared.
First thing first, what exactly is child support? Put simply and plainly, child support is the financial support of a child post divorce. This is divided fairly between parents.
This financial support is used to cover the child’s expenses and needs. These can include ordinary expenses like housing and food, extraordinary expenses like extracurricular activities are camps, medical expenses like health insurance, hospital visits, and post secondary education expenses like college tuition and room and board.
Many people are under the impression that only one parent pays child support. And at first glance, we can see why you may think that. Afterall, only one parent is obligated to write a check. But in reality, the amount that the paying parent is subject to give is calculated as a portion of child care. Both parents are really paying for the care of their child together.
Yes, of course, there does come a time when your child is no longer in need of child support. This time frame varies from state to state, but in general, the different areas of child support end under these circumstances:
-Once a child graduates from high school, the paying of ordinary expenses are no longer required.
-Extraordinary expenses are most commonly not required in the event of emancipation.
-Paying of medical expenses may end once the child is able to obtain their own health insurance or once they turn 26 years old.
-And the payment of college expenses may end after four years of attendance by the child.
As you can see, child support is more than just one parent being forced to write a check. If you want to maintain the most control over the outcome of your divorce and in regards to child support and you are interested in the most fair solutions for all parties involved, mediation is the best way to go. If you want to settle your divorce out of court and shield your child from aggressive divorce court, reach out to Solutions & Resolutions today.
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