Child Support

Child support is the amount of money one parent pays to the other for the support of a child. There are a number of factors that determine the amount of child support that one parent pays the other. One of the big factors is the custody of the child. The theory behind this is that the parent who has the child most of the time is spending more by having the child in their custody. While this is not always true, it is in many circumstances, and the court gives a lot of weight to this factor.

Another factor is the income of each parent. Sometimes this is an easy calculation to make, but not always. If one parent owns a business, then there are many other factors to consider. Deductions on taxes are not necessarily the same for child support calculations. Just looking at the tax return may not give you accurate figures to use to calculate child support. Unfortunately, some conciliators and even referees do not know or understand this concept. A good attorney can make sure that the child support in your case is fair and accurate.

Many times, the non-custodial parent will fight for custody solely in an effort to reduce or eliminate paying child support. This practice is not looked at well by the court. If your spouse is doing this to you, it is imperative for you to fight for your child. Make sure you have a good attorney by your side to make sure your child and your rights are protected.

There are other factors to consider that are determined by the facts of each situation. Once those factors are put into a formula and the amount of child support is determined, it is important to make sure that the factors that are put into the formula are correct. You need to have the proper legal representation to make sure your rights are protected. Call attorney Denise Cole at Grace Legal Services in Lansing, Michigan, today to discuss your child support, parenting time, and child custody issues.