In the midst of a divorce, both spouses spend a lot of time calculating the finances. When children are involved, the financial split often becomes complicated because of child care expenses. In a divorce, the expenses of childrearing can become one of the harshest sticking points in negotiations. Many wonder how the child custody arrangement factors into the child support equation.
The goal of child support is to ensure that the children are being supported to the same degree that was provided prior to the divorce. Child support should cover living arrangements to accommodate the child. Typically, child support covers the costs of food, clothing, education, and extra-curricular activities.
How Does the Income Levels of Both Parents Affect Child Support?
The arrangement relating to who pays depends on the income of both parents. If one ex-spouse makes significantly more money, that parent is likely to have to pay more to support the child, whether they are the custodial parent or not. Legally mandated child support comes into play if the custodial parent is at a financial disadvantage.
How Does Custody Factor in to the Child Support Equation?
When custody is split evenly, the parenting costs are also split down the middle. Each parent will have to provide the living space, food, and clothes for the child, as well as other necessities. The costs of tuition and activity fees should be part of the calculations as well.
In an arrangement where one parent is the primary caregiver, the more affluent parent will be expected to contribute more to the costs of raising the child. If the parent with more income is acting as the custodial parent, the childrearing costs are usually absorbed into the household budget. If the custodial parent makes less money, the parent with more income will have to provide child support.
If the parents are sharing custody, the parent with more income is likely to have to provide child support to the parent who makes less. The theory behind this is that prior to the divorce, the family had the financial stability of combined incomes. After the divorce, the child should be able to count on the same level of support from both households.
How a Lawyer can Help with Child Support Arrangements
If one is concerned about whether or not their soon-to-be ex-spouse will be compelled to provide enough child support, one should speak to a lawyer. A lawyer will help determine what is a fair amount and ensure that the children are protected after the divorce is finalized.
West Chester Child Custody Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Clients Secure Fair Child Support
Our West Chester child custody lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. assist clients with divorce-related matters, including child support. We will ensure that your children are financially supported after your divorce is finalized. For an initial, private consultation, complete our online form or call us at 610-565-3701 today. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.