If a divorce involves children, more likely than not the state will need to get involved to determine child support and child custody. In both instances, the primary interest of the court is doing what is in the child’s best interest. However, child support amounts aren’t all the same. The state of Missouri uses a particular guideline to determine the fee.
Both parents technically pay child support. If one parent has primary physical custody of the child, meaning the child lives with that parent most of the time, the parent is paying child support by paying the costs of housing and caring for his or her kid. The parent who doesn’t live with the child must pay a child support amount usually until the kid turns 18 (although there are exceptions that demand payment until the age of 21).
The amount itself is dependent on a number of factors, including the following:
- Number of children supported by the parents
- Income of each parent
- Cost of child care
- Cost of health insurance and medical care
- School expenses
- Needs of the child
This number will vary depending on the will of the court and the determination of the judge, though the standard amount is set by the Missouri guidelines. A parent will not be asked to pay for more than he or she can afford.
Likewise, if your circumstances change after the divorce, you can request that the court modify your child support amounts. Modification typically requires an extreme change in circumstance, such as the loss of a job. If you can prove your situation has changed enough, the court will adjust the amount of your child support until your situation improves.
If you have more questions about child support, or you would like to discuss your case with an experienced St. Charles divorce attorney, give us a call. Smith Law Offices, LLC has more than 20 years of legal experience to offer your case. Our skilled lawyers can help you through simple as well as complex circumstances. Let us see what we can do for you in a case consultation.
Contact us at (636) 400-1177 or fill out our online form to schedule a meeting with us today. We look forward to discussing your situation with you.