The end of a marriage does not allow parents to end their financial and emotional obligations to their kids. Even when parents choose to live separate and apart from one other, they must still provide their children with what they need.
One of the most common ways that parents achieve this goal is by providing their kids with child support in the wake of their divorces. Parents may agree to how much child support each will contribute to the welfare of their kids, but, if they cannot work out their own terms, then the courts may intervene and apply the state’s guidelines to child support cases. A number of factors will influence how much money each parent will be required to provide for the benefit of their kids.
Income is one important factor that may guide a court’s decisions regarding a parent’s child support obligation. Parents who earn high incomes may be asked to pay more than parents who do not work or who have limited access to financial resources. Also, the placement of children in a post-divorce custodial plan may have a big impact on how much support a noncustodial parent will have to provide to ensure that their children’s needs are met.
The relationship between a parent and child does not end with a divorce. Even if a parent is not given physical custody of their child, they may still be asked to provide for them through the regular and continuous payment of financial child support. If you need help with your child support case, contact a family law attorney to assist you.