How is the amount of a support obligation determined for child(ren) and/or spouse?
The amount of child support awarded by the court is established in accordance with the Pennsylvania Support Guideline, which is in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1910.16. The Support Guideline was developed on the premise that the child(ren) of separated or divorced parents should receive the same proportion of parental incomes as if the parents were together. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes defines the criteria necessary to determine support obligations under Title 23, Section 4322 – Support Guideline, as shown below: (a) Statewide guideline – Child and spousal support shall be awarded pursuant to a Statewide guideline as established by general rule by the Supreme Court, so that persons similarly situated shall be treated similarly. The guideline shall be based upon the reasonable needs of the child or spouse seeking support and the ability of the obligor to provide support. In determining the reasonable needs of the child or spouse seeking support and the ability o
