What are Child Support Guidelines?
Child support is calculated using the Child Support Guidelines, which are a set of rules and tables for calculating the amount of support that must be paid. There are both federal and provincial guidelines. With some exceptions, it is the income of the person paying the support and the number of children that determine the amount of support to be paid. The income of the parent receiving the child support is not relevant. Who has to pay child support? All parents, including step-parents, have child support responsibilities. The extent of this will depend on the length and nature of their relationship with the children. For how long is child support paid? Child support is paid until the child is 18, with some exceptions. It can end earlier if the child becomes independent (for example, gets married, has a child or leaves home). It can run past 18 if the child is still dependent on the parent because of a disability or because she/he is enrolled full-time in post-secondary education. Will
Child support guidelines are issued at the state level and are based on a wide range of socioeconomic factors. Child support is an amount of money paid to the custodial parent for the care of the couple’s children. The non-custodial parent makes the payment. There are three criteria used to determine the level of child support required within the guidelines: income of each parent, the number of children and the custodial burden. It is important to remember that child support is separate from alimony. In order to determine the appropriate child support amount, the judge requires the custody agreement, income statements from each parent and any special expenses required by the child. These special expenses may include medical assistance, educational needs, or supportive services. Each parent is entitled to keep a minimum amount of their income to meet their own needs. A predefined portion of income is allocated for the child support, based on state calculations. Any income over the minim
Guidelines use a formula to help determine the amount of child support to be paid by the non-custodial parent. The guidelines make sure that child support order amounts are established fairly. The law that governs child support guidelines in Colorado is C.R.S 14-10-115. Child support guidelines in Colorado consider the following when calculating child support amounts: • the parents’ combined adjusted gross income estimated to have been allocated to the child if the parents were living in an intact household • the needs of the child for extraordinary medical expenses and work-related child care costs and • physical custody arrangements If you would like a copy of C.R.S. 14-10-115, click here. If you would like to order a packet that talks about C.R.S. 14-10-115 and includes instructions and a sample worksheet, click here. What about medical coverage? The payment of a premium to provide health insurance coverage on behalf of the children subject to the order may be added to the basic chi
Child support guidelines are a set of rules and tables. The guidelines are the law. They can tell you how a judge would most likely figure out the amount of child support in your situation. As parents, you may both decide that another amount of child support—higher or lower—is better for you and your children. But, if you ask a judge to decide, he or she will set the amount of child support according to the guidelines, unless there are special circumstances. See Special circumstances for more information. The guidelines are designed to: • protect the best interests of the children, and • make the calculation of child support fair, consistent and predictable. The guidelines establish a fair standard of support for children that makes sure they continue to benefit from the financial means of both their parents after separation. The guidelines are also intended to reduce conflict and tension between parents by making child support calculations more fair and more objective, and by encourag
