Child support is a legal obligation that parents have to financially support their children. It is usually paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help cover the child’s living expenses. For example, food, clothing and education.
Parents preparing for divorce who expect to owe or receive child support in the near future should review how it works.
Calculating child support
The court determines the amount of child support a parent owes based on factors such as the income of both parents, the needs of the child and the custody arrangement. In most cases, parents make child support payments monthly and continue until the child reaches the age of 18. However, child support may continue beyond that age if the child is still in school or has special needs.
It is important to note that child support is separate from other expenses, such as medical bills or extracurricular activities, which may become divided between the parents based on their agreement or court order.
Unpaid child support
Failure to pay child support can have serious consequences, including legal action, wage garnishment and even imprisonment in extreme cases. According to the Maryland Courts, unpaid child support can also result in license suspension, tax refund interception and passport denial.
Parents fall behind on child support for different reasons, from job loss to health crises. For some, modifying a child support order can help them stay current. It is important for parents to fulfill their child support obligations to protect the best interests of their children and avoid these repercussions.