If you are going through a divorce and expect to have primary custody of your child, you may be interested in obtaining child support. Child support is a biweekly or monthly payment that goes to the custodial parent for the child’s needs. This payment is made by the noncustodial parent.
If you want to seek child support, your attorney will help you understand the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines, which are the regulations that dictate how much a person pays in support. Support amounts are generally based on the combined income of both parents and the number of children who require financial support.
How is support determined in Connecticut?
Child support is carefully determined according to state guidelines using a mathematical formula. The judge in each case is required to take into account the income of both parents, their ability to provide for their children and the special needs those children may have.
What if a parent is unable to pay child support?
The judge also has to consider the financial circumstances of the parents involved in the case. While every working parent is expected to pay a minimum amount of support no matter how little they earn, a parent without any current income may simply not have the ability to pay anything.
What if a parent’s ability to pay support changes?
Parents who struggle to make their support payments have the option of seeking modifications to their support orders. Parents can also seek modifications when they believe that their child’s other parent has the ability to pay more than he or she currently does.
These are just some of the things that you need to keep in mind as you pursue an order of support for your children. An attorney can evaluate the specifics of your situation and give you more concrete advice.
