How Much Child Support Will I Pay?

January 31, 2013  |  Elizabeth A. Schading

There are no hard and fast answers to this question. Every case is different.
Many factors affect the amount of child support that you pay. First, the courts will look at your employment status and your spouse’s employment status. This isn’t always straightforward since one or both of you might be self-employed, underemployed, or unemployed.
Second, the courts will look at how much money both parents earn. There are also adjustments for the amount of parenting time each spouse will share, and that varies from case to case. Daycare and health insurance expenses will be considered.
Don’t rely on online child support calculators, charts, or the rumor mill to try to get estimates of what you’ll pay. They can only give estimates, and the estimates themselves are only good if you’re making the right assumptions while entering the data into the computer.
Remember, too, that while child support can feel like an unfair monthly bill or a punishment, it’s neither. It’s really meant to make sure that your child has financial security. Divorce can be an incredibly tough time for children and providing some semblance of financial security for them does ease the transition for them.
However, we do recognize that you still have to see to your own needs, and that’s why at Barna, Guzy, and Steffen, we stand ready to help you with four family law attorneys with more than 80 years of combined experience in family law. If you are considering divorce, call us to set up a consultation.