Child support is the financial support of a child. While child support is most often considered in the context of a divorce, child support can also apply to situations outside of a divorce, such as paternity cases. In paternity cases, child support is the responsibility of the legal father of the child. Establishing paternity or the disestablishment of paternity is critical to these types of cases.
In a divorce, child support of minor children (less than 18 years old) is routine. In fact, child support is so common that the State of Missouri has a specific formula used to determine the amount and duration of child support.
Child Support Calculations
Although child support is calculated using a specific formula, the data used to make those calculations can have a significant impact on the support determined. An experienced divorce attorney will help you understand how the calculations are determined. Generally, the following information is used to calculate child support payments:
- Tax returns
- Medical expenses
- Income statements
- Credit card debt
- Loan debt
When all is said and done, child support is about children. Personal differences between parents should not affect the financial support entitled to children. The financial support is crucial for the care and maintenance of the child(ren). If modification of child support is needed due to changes in circumstances, Family Law Attorney Mike Watkins can provide you with assistance as well.
Contact us today to schedule a FREE Consultation with an experience Divorce Attorney and put our 30+ years of experience to work for you and your child. Attorney Mike Watkins will explain how the law applies to your specific situation and help you understand how the child support formulas apply to your children.
