Top 5 Questions About Child Support, Answered

 Posted on February 07, 2022 in Family Law

Parents who are no longer together are still expected to provide financial support to the child. Often, this is accomplished through a child support order. Whether you are a paying parent or the recipient of child support or you want to establish child support for the first time, you may have many different questions. Child support matters can be complicated. Read on to learn answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about child support in Illinois.

Who Has to Pay Child Support?

In Illinois, child custody involves two major components: the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Parenting time is the time a parent is responsible for supervising the child and attending directly to the child’s needs. The parent with the greater amount of parenting time is the recipient of child support. The parent with less parenting time pays child support.

How Much Does a Parent Pay?

Child support payment amounts are typically calculated using a statutory formula and data about the average cost of raising a child. Both parents’ net incomes are factored into the payment structure. The difference between the parents’ incomes also influences the payment amount.

What if Both Parents Have the Child an Equal Amount of Time?

Child support and parenting time are separate issues. The only time that parenting time influences child support is in a “shared parenting” situation. Parents in a shared parenting situation each have the child at least 40 percent of the time. In a shared parenting situation, a parent’s child support obligation is adjusted to account for the fact that the parents each have the child nearly half the time.

What if a Parent Cannot Afford Child Support Payments?

Child support payments can be a major expense. If a parent is struggling to afford payments he or she may petition the court for a reduced obligation. Child support modifications may be necessitated by an increase or decrease in either parent’s income.

How Can I Collect Child Support From My Child’s Other Parent?

If you want to collect child support from your child’s father, you will first need to establish paternity. Then, you can petition the court for a child support order. Parents who do not pay their court-ordered child support face wage garnishment, property liens, and other serious consequences. If you need help to collect child support from a non-paying parent, contact a child custody lawyer for help.

Contact a Kane County Child Support Lawyer

If you want to learn more about child support or you need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support order, contact Goostree Law Group. Our St. Charles child support attorneys can help you take the next steps.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050k510.htm