Simple Divorce Papers

The amount of monthly child support payments is determined by following the rules set out in the jurisdiction in which the children usually reside. Most jurisdictions have child support guidelines or calculators which tell you how much the payment should be based on various factors which include the payor’s income and the number of children involved. Some jurisdictions allow departures from these guidelines for unusual circumstances or forms of child custody.

The most common situation where extra child support is required are cases where extraordinary expenses are incurred on the children’s behalf. These may include such things as child care expenses for when a parent is at work and costs associated with medical or dental care, but in some jurisdictions they can also include more discretionary items like registration in sports or music programs.

In some jurisdictions child support may be less than the norm if the parent paying support can show that the normal amount would be a hardship. This usually requires a comparison of the standard of living within the two households and a judgment call by the court. Sometimes the cost of travel for access visits may justify a reduction in child support, especially where a parent has relocated the children far away from the other parent for a dubious reason.

Most jurisdictions require parents to file financial statements whenever children are involved in a divorce. These usually include documents to prove income, such as tax returns and pay stubs and can also include a budget showing typical monthly expenditures. These documents are usually received by the court under oath.

Where one of the less common forms of custody arrangements exist, such as shared or split custody, this often justifies a departure from the normal level of child support.