Child Support Questions: What You Need to Know in 2022
Going through a separation or divorce can be very difficult, especially when it comes to working through child support agreements. When you haven’t been through this before you may be wondering exactly what to expect and what your child support is meant for. Here are a few things you need to know about paying child support and the process.
What does child support cover?
This money is intended to provide basic living necessities for your child(ren) including housing, food, education and possible medical treatment. This isn’t meant to provide luxury items, but rather reasonable living costs.
Furthermore, it is not meant to cover any costs for the ex-spouse – only for the child(ren).
How is the amount of child support calculated?
There are various factors that go into determining the amount of child support a parent will need to pay. The court will take into account the age of child(ren), their physical needs (and any special needs if they have them), their development and medical needs/treatment.
The court will also take into consideration how much money each parent makes, and the lifestyle the child(ren) had prior to the divorce, when both parents were supporting them. In addition to those considerations, both parents will need to still be able to live on their own in a reasonable home so that the child(ren) will be able to visit and stay with both parents (based on the custody agreement) unless otherwise stated.
You may check out our child support calculator to get an idea about the amount of child support you may get or have to pay.
How is the child support paid?
The child support can be collected in a few ways, and it really depends on what the agreement is between the two parents. It can be paid via direct deposit to the collecting parent, via post-dated cheques or via electronic payment.
If the parent who is supposed to pay child support stops paying it voluntarily, their wages may be garnished by the Family Responsibility Office. In that case, the child support will be collected from garnished wages and will then be passed through to the collecting parent.
Can the child support amount be modified?
In general, there needs to be material reason for why the child support amount needs to be modified – in either direction. The parent paying the child support may need to provide proof of substantial change in income or ability to pay in order for the court to modify the amount they need to pay. Sometimes, it may only be temporary (in cases like a temporary job loss).
On the other hand, if the child’s expenses have increased or their medical needs are more now then the parent collecting the child support will need to show that these costs have gone up and the need for more support is there.
Does child support end when the child turns 18?
There is a common myth that child support only goes until your child turns 18 years old. There may be reasons, though, that the child would continue to need support from both parents. In the event that your child has mental or physical needs that require ongoing support, there may be an agreement in place that child support should continue beyond age 18.
Contact Fine and Associates today
Do you have questions about paying or collecting child support? Then contact us today to arrange a consultation with one of our family lawyers.