Child Support - Divorce Advice
The parent who is granted custodial rights and duties over children of the marriage is not obligated to pay
child support. The non-custodial parent ordinarily is required to make monthly payments, intended to assist the
custodial parent financially. The custodial parent is not compensated for time spent attending the needs of
children. Authoritative studies of this arrangement are consistent: the custodial parent, on average, spends
twice the amount paid for daily needs, treats and care provided to children.
Child Custody Agreements
Parents are permitted to alter most child custody guidelines and requirements so long as the best interest of
children are protected. Court approval of all non-standard arrangements is required. Through a cooperative
effort and negotiation, parents often tailor payments, obligations and property divisions to coincide with needs
and abilities. In practice, granting a divorce is a rather simple matter, while negotiating property division
and child support payments quickly becomes legally complex and contested.
Advice - Child Support Law and Regulation
In the late 1980's, the U.S. Congress passed comprehensive laws requiring all states formulate guidelines for
child support payments. The intention of this law was to create a consistent basis for the calculation of
payments from state to state. In addition, federal, state and private databases now cooperate updating records
for residency, payments and amounts. Further, through the implementation of Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of
Judgment Acts, the enforcement of a single order to pay support in all 50 states and territories has been
greatly simplified.
See Also:
Child Support - Divorce Advice,
Child Support - Effects of Divorce on Children,
Child Support - Divorce Information,
Child Support - Custody Information
|
