When is child support calculated

A good way to put this in perspective is to look at some of the factors judges can consider when determining whether to deviate from the guidelines. These factors may include:. A COLA clause in a child support order means that payments automatically increase according to a schedule, at a rate equal to an increase in the cost of living as determined by an economic indicator such as the Consumer Price Index.

This eliminates the need for any modification requests based solely on cost-of-living increases. Some states require that child support orders include COLA clauses. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising.

In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state.

Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Establishing and Calculating Child Support. Learn the rules on child support, including who has to pay it, how the amount is determined, and when a support order can be changed. What is Child Support? How is Child Support Determined? What Is Child Support? How Is Child Support Determined? These factors usually include items such as: the child's needs—including health insurance, education, day care, and any special needs the custodial parent's income and needs the paying parent's ability to pay, and the child's standard of living before divorce or separation.

Examples of the types of changes that frequently support modification orders include: a child's medical emergency the paying parent's temporary inability to pay for instance, because of illness or an additional financial burden such as a medical emergency or job loss the recipient parent's temporary economic or medical hardship either parent's receipt of new, additional income because of remarriage a change in either parent's employment situation either parent's disability, or a change in the child's needs.

Do not use the QBID calculator for tax return preparation or for any purpose other than support calculations. Only the original Excel tool available through this link should be relied upon by the users. Any version downloaded and presented by others may have altered formulas affecting the result. The Child Support Table Look-up has general information only. It is not a legal document. Provincial or territorial guidelines may apply in some cases.

Note: Several companies sell software for calculating child support. Be aware that the Department of Justice was not involved in the development of that software. You will not receive a reply. For example, if you're the paying parent, you might argue that because you are paying for your kids' private school and all of their uninsured medical expenses, the support payment should be less than the guideline amount.

But even if you're providing some extras, the base amount of support has to be enough for the necessities. Or if you have custody of a disabled child who requires extra care and has unusual medical expenses, you might think the support paid to you should be higher than the guideline amount.

Be prepared to show the judge documentation of your position. A budget showing all of your expenses relating to the kids will impress the judge with your attention to their needs and the seriousness of your position. Here are some circumstances that might cause a judge to set support above or below the guideline amount:.

Alabama Alaska Arkansas California D. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state.

Child Custody Child Support. Alimony Divorce and Property.