How Does Child Support Work? What You Need to Know

Over $33 billion in child support was paid in the US in 2017.

If you are going through a divorce, you may be wondering how to handle the myriad of emotions you are experiencing. Guilt, sadness, and anger come along with practical concerns over loneliness and money.

If you will not be getting full custody of your child, chances are that you will be responsible to pay at least some child support. What is this, and how does child support work?

Let's take a look.

1. What is Child Support?

Child support is court-ordered payments of one parent who does not have full custody of the children to the parent with full custody. It covers reasonable expenses related to the child. Child support can also be given voluntarily.

The support will likely get used to cover the daily living expenses of children, including food, clothing, and childcare. It may, however, also include uninsured medical costs such as braces and eyeglasses. Child support can also include educational needs such as books and private tutors.

Many courts also hold that a child is entitled to basic entertainment, including a computer, games, and the Internet. Child support may also include extracurricular activities such as scouting, summer camps, and other non-school related activities.

Factors that come into determining the amount of child support that will get paid include the parent's income, the financial needs of the child, and the child's existing standard of living.

2. How Does Child Support Work?

Child support payments will begin after the divorce is final. Your joint tax return and pay stubs can give your Denver Family Lawyers, or whichever lawyers you're using, a good idea of your income level before the divorce and what they will likely be after it gets finalized.

A court order usually begins the child support process. These are available through your local child support agency. An attorney can represent you in obtaining one.

Family law attorneys have specialized knowledge with regard to your state's custody issues. If you choose to represent yourself, you will need to get equipped with as much research as possible. Without a court order, the non-custodial parent has no legal obligation to make payments.

It is important to keep an itemized list of your child's monthly expenses when you are determining child support.

Does your child attend tennis lessons, swimming, or summer camp? Do they buy lunch at school every day? Will they require a babysitter before and after school?

Medical expenses may vary greatly depending on the needs of your child. Some children may usually only visit a doctor once a year for a checkup. Those with special needs, however, may have an ongoing need for therapy, tutoring, and other services.

It is important to have an idea of how much of your medical expenses will get covered by insurance, and how much extra will be required each month. The non-custodial spouse may get required to set up a separate account for these payments.

3. Collecting Child Support

Child support usually begins the day a court order gets filed. They may get paid through a bank account, debit/credit card, or money order. Your state can also begin by garnishing the wages of the non-custodial parent right away so they can't claim to miss a payment.

Once received, payments get processed and sent out within two working days after the state receives the payment.

If the paying parent quits their job or moves from state to state to avoid payment, their property can get seized. Business or professional licenses can also get revoked.

4. The Benefits of Child Support

Child support provides both parents with a clear, predictable plan for paying for children's needs in the future. The moral obligation of caring for a biological child's basic needs gets managed legally and right away. It can help you avoid battles over financial needs and keep further communication limited to what is necessary.

Publicly, child support helps prevent poverty and keeps the welfare system from being overburdened.

5. Finding the Right Attorney

Locating the right attorney can help you start getting child support payments as quickly as possible.

Look for recommendations for attorneys who specialize in family law. When you call, ask how many cases the firm has represented that are similar to yours. Don't be afraid to request specific information, such as the average child support received for someone at your family's current income level.

If you don't get recommendations from trusted friends or family, ask the attorney for three references that you can call and ask about their experience. Was their case handled in a prompt, professional manner? Were the attorneys knowledgeable and courteous at all times?

Make sure you learn about your lawyer's fees upfront. Don't be afraid to shop around for different estimates. Make sure that the fee your lawyer is charging is reasonable for your area.

Be sure to get any fee agreements in writing from the beginning. You don't want any surprises throughout the process.

You will be able to get a good idea of your attorney's communication style from the beginning. Be sure that all phone calls and emails get returned promptly. Remember that you will be working together on important matters for several weeks or months.

Child Support and You

How does child support work? You will need to find the right attorney and get a court order right away to make sure you and your child get the funds you are entitled to. Be sure to keep accurate records so that your child gets all of the resources they deserve as they grow up.