Things You Should Know About Child Support As A Mother

In family law and divorce cases, child support is a heavily litigated matter. Child support is a fixed amount of money paid by one parent to the other for the care and benefit of their child. The amount of child support differs from case to case and depends on the facts and circumstances. Factors like parents’ income, child’s needs, healthcare, etc., are considered. 

You are not alone if you are going through a divorce and dread negotiating for child support. It is not easy to fight with your ex-spouse constantly. Moreover, you may disagree over the amount of child support because it is not easy to calculate it. To navigate the process efficiently and effectively, speak to a divorce attorney in Boston, MA. 

Things you should know about child support as a mother 

• Laws differ from state to state. 

No specific law in the United States is used to govern the population of every state. Rather, each US state has its own set of laws, and divorces are no exception. Every state has its rules and formulas for calculating child support. Therefore, what worked for your friend in Texas may not work for you in Massachusetts. To know the current laws, you can research them or hire an attorney. 

• • Only a few expenses are considered when calculating child support. 

When calculating child support, the court considers factors like the parents’ take-home salaries after taxes and payroll deductions. Health insurance for the child and costs of daycare may also be considered. However, if you make monthly payments for things out of your price range, such as mortgages or credit card bills, you won’t be relieved from paying child support. According to the court, if you can afford to pay expensive mortgages and make big purchases, you must also pay child support. 

• Both parents must support the child until they turn 18. 

It is a popular belief that in divorces, the father always has to pay child support and is required to financially support the child alone. However, both parents are equally responsible for financially supporting their children until they turn 18. The concept of child support does not state that the father must always pay the mother. Instead, the parent with the higher income pays child support. 

• Child support is the right of the child. 

The amount of child support is calculated to ensure the child can live the same level of lifestyle as before after the divorce. The money should only be spent for the child’s benefit and welfare, not the parent receiving it.