Child and Spousal Support

Question 1

Although parents can enter into agreements about child support, such agreements must, at a minimum, meet the guidelines set by law and receive court approval because?…

Answer 1

the right to receive a certain amount of support belongs to the child and not the child’s parents

Question 2

In order to assist the court in calculating support, both parents are required to submit…?

Answer 2

an Affidavit of Financial Means.

Question 3

Administrative Order No. 10 defines INCOME to include:

Answer 3

• any form of payment, regardless of source

- examples are wages, commissions, self-employment earnings, pensions, disability payments, and investment income

Question 4

Allowable deductions from income include:

Answer 4

1. income taxes,
2. withholding for Social Security,
3. Medicare,
4. railroad retirement,
5. medical insurance payments for dependent children, 6. support a parent pays to other dependents pursuant to court orders

Question 5

A parent seeking modification of an existing custody order must show what?

Answer 5

• an ongoing material change in circumstances
• The court will generally presume that a modification is appropriate if there has been a loss or gain of 20 percent per month in a noncustodial parent’s income

Question 6

when does child support obligation end?

Answer 6

• when the child turns 18 unless the child is still attending high school full-time, in which case it continues until the child turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever happens first
• the obligation may continue longer if a child is disabled and not capable of self-support

Question 7

Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is Responsible for:

Answer 7

Responsible for:

• helping families obtain child support payment orders,
• locate absent parents,
• establish paternity if necessary,
• secure compliance with child support court orders